October 17 Thursday 2002
Border hits back at Pybus comments, defends Waughs

SYDNEY: Former Australian captain Allan Border said on Wednesday that Pakistan would struggle to beat most Sydney club sides and their coach Richard Pybus must keep his mouth shut.

Pakistan were all out for 59 and 53 in last week's second Test against Australia in Sharjah, losing the match by an innings and 198 runs to fall 2-0 down in the three-match series.

Border, a national selector, reacted strongly to comments made by Pybus and reported in 'The Australian' newspaper on Tuesday, that Australia were battling internal tension over the pressure on Steve and Mark Waugh to hold their places in the team at age 37.

"Richard should just concentrate on what he's supposed to be doing with the Pakistan team," Border was quoted as saying in Sydney's 'Daily Telegraph' on Wednesday. "Let's see if they can score 60 next time they bat. Most second grade sides could do better than his national side.

"If I was him, I'd be keeping my mouth shut. I know it's not totally down to him, but I think you've got to be careful making stupid statements when your side has just copped a hammering."

Border, 47, who retired at age 38 himself, defended the Waughs as "icons" of Australian cricket. Steve Waugh has played 150 Tests, six short of Border's world record.

"We seem to chip away at them and seem to want them out of the side," Border said of the twins, who made two runs between them in the second Test. "Those guys will work out the right time to finish up. I hate to see this chipping away at them, we should be rejoicing how good this Australian side is and not constantly having a go at the two Waugh boys in particular."

Steve Waugh, who captained Australia to victory in the 1999 World Cup final against Pakistan, has been dropped from the one-day side this year but remains Test captain, while Mark has also been dumped from the limited-over team.