Steve Waugh sacked - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Falchoon · 02-13-2002, 17:32

I thought someone else would of posted this by now.

Article from The Telegraph

Quote:

How Waugh first got the bad news
By JON PIERIK
14feb02
IT was supposed to be a night of celebration where captain Steve Waugh and his Australian team would sit back and enjoy what had largely been a successful year. But while Matt Hayden lapped up the attention for winning the Allan Border Medal at Melbourne's Crown Casino on Monday night, Waugh, no doubt, had other things on his mind.
Only hours before donning the tux for Australian cricket's gala night, Waugh had been told he was no longer a part of the Australian one-day team.

After completing several obligations in the early afternoon, Waugh had returned to his room at the Quay West Hotel where he had hoped to get some rest for the big night ahead.

It wasn't to be.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns visited his captain and delivered the news the hero of Australia's World Cup win in 1999 had no idea was coming.

A frank Hohns told him that the selectors had a "gut feeling" they needed to make some changes to the one-day team and Waugh would be the first to go.

It's then believed a seething Waugh blamed sections of the press for his demise and told Hohns he still had plenty to offer the green and gold.

The 325-game veteran recited his recent batting statistics where he averaged 40 in the past year � an effort he felt was good enough to keep him in the team.

He also mentioned his 63.21 winning percentage as skipper, a record better than his predecessors, Border (60.11 per cent in 178 games) and Mark Taylor (53.73 per cent in 67 games).

"But he was told he was not one of the best six batsmen in the country," a source said. "It was a decision that was based on more than cricket stats but it had nothing to do with what happened in Perth."

Indeed, sources yesterday said Waugh had been unaware the selection committee of Border, David Boon, Andrew Hilditch and Hohns were even reviewing his tenure.

But such was the disappointment of Australia missing the tri-series finals that the review had begun a week ago.

After Hohns left, a shattered Waugh immediately rang wife Lynette, who was back at home in Sydney, and his manager Robert Joske.

Waugh and Joske then mulled over the options facing the 36-year-old.

A determined Waugh said he would fight back.

After calming himself down, Waugh then left for the Border Medal presentation dinner where he remained tight-lipped throughout the evening.

He even managed to kick on at fashionable JJ's Bar at Crown where the after-party was taking shape.

Although he at times looked uncomfortable in the big crowd, he seemed in good spirits.

While the Australian Cricket Board and Waugh maintained their silence, whispers emerged that something was brewing.

At 2.30pm yesterday, that whisper became a roar.

Mr Sparkle · 02-13-2002, 17:45

Typical knee-jerk dickhead reaction by the selection board. No doubt fueled by the "highly offended" media, who go crying to their corporate mummy when called such damaging names as a "pack of arseholes" even though thats a pretty accurate term.

Stupid decision. Bloody stupid.

02-13-2002, 19:25

steve will be back, and he will rub the selectors faces in their wrong decision.

FM · 02-13-2002, 20:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Sparkle
Typical knee-jerk dickhead reaction by the selection board....

Stupid decision. Bloody stupid.

Preach it brother!.. Selectors seem to be making a lot of *cough* Great! *cough* decisions this summer don't they.
Rotation system worked a charm and now this.. time for the selectors to be sacked me thinks..

FPRXR-6 · 02-13-2002, 20:51

The Australian selectors will regret their decision and get him back as soon as possible. Trust me.
They are a bunch of wankers :fmad:

EA S · 02-13-2002, 20:54

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Sparkle
Typical knee-jerk dickhead reaction by the selection board. No doubt fueled by the "highly offended" media, who go crying to their corporate mummy when called such damaging names as a "pack of arseholes" even though thats a pretty accurate term.

bs:

And the best, most accurate, and most memorable use of that term in the sporting or any other field was Jim Richards a few years ago at Bathurst.

HP Dude · 02-13-2002, 21:42

May I just say that I thought the selectors' decision to dump S. Waugh is an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE. That's all I have to say.

AV GT · 02-13-2002, 22:55

Disgrace isnt strong enough, Selectors what have Hohns and Hilditch ever acheived nothing the couldnt cut the mustard.

ebxr8240 · 02-13-2002, 23:34

Why when they are off to South Africa to play test match's ??
I think there should be a fairer way of the top players leaving.I was very dissapointed when A.B was sacked,Tubby too! and that's coming from an expat... Kiwi...

krusic · 02-14-2002, 00:04

Definetely agree wth everyone. It was disgraceful for the selectors to dump Steve Waugh from the one day side. Especially since the reason for his dumping makes no sense. One of the public reasons for his dumping was to allow them to blood younger players for the 2003 World Cup. However, the amount of experience and wisdom Steve could share with these younger players before the would cup would be invaluable in helping them develop to their full potential. This is due to the fact that every cricketer in Australia and probably around the world has the highest respect for the man.

I also have to agree with FM, I think it's time the ACB took a look at the selectors and maybe "dump" a few of them. It was their rotation policy that stuffed us up.

Stephen