News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Waugh happy with team's showing

Waugh happy with team's showing

April 14, 2003 14:56 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Australia cricket captain Steve Waugh said beating the West Indies is more important than containing opposing skipper Brian Lara in the four-Test series.

Steve Waugh"We won this Test by nine wickets, so I'm not worried about Brian Lara," Waugh said on Sunday following Australia's victory over the home squad.

"I'd be happy if Brian made 100 every match and we won by nine wickets."

Waugh led the visitors to a comfortable win just before tea on the fourth day and a 1-0 series lead. Fast bowler Jason Gillespie set it up with a five-wicket haul and man-of-the-match Justin Langer sealed the victory with an unbeaten 78.

"You want a battle in a Test match. Brian and Daren played well yesterday afternoon," Waugh said. "But I was especially happy with the way we played today."

Gillespie, who turns 28 this week, led the way to finish with five for 39.

"The wicket was a bit up and down and I just bowled straight," Gillespie said. "That's what the goal was and that's what we did."

"To take 20 wickets on that pitch was fantastic for us as a team."

New West Indies coach Gus Logie is optimistic his team can make improvements for the next match, which starts in Trinidad on Saturday.

"Definitely we're disappointed but I don't think it will be such a big setback for the players," Logie said. "They all recognise the areas in which they fell down."

"There has been a lot of (dissent) in and around the camp," he added. "But we are trying to make sure that is eliminated as much as possible so the players can go out there and play."

The late withdrawal of former skipper Carl Hooper and opener Chris Gayle's exclusion from the team were distractions on the eve of the match, he said.

"At this point in time it is very difficult to change techniques," Logie added. "We are trying to change their attitude."

Michael VaughanFormer England one-day captain Adam Hollioake said he is flattered to be linked with the job again. But the Surrey all-rounder believes Michael Vaughan is the best man to take over from Nasser Hussain.

Hollioake lifted the Sharjah Trophy during his last stint as England one-day captain between 1997 and 1999.

And he appears to be in the frame to take over from Hussain who stepped down after the World Cup.

The England selectors are also thought to be considering Marcus Trescothick, Vaughan, Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff.

Hollioake, who has led Surrey to three championship titles, told Sky Sports, "It was odd but also ego-boosting to be talked about as the next England one-day captain.

"I would like to see Vaughan get the captaincy. He is a fantastic cricketer and a likeable guy. It will be hard for him because he is young and inexperienced but I think he should give it a go."

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024