October 21 Monday 2002
Stewart speaks up for 'old men' of world sport

PERTH: Veteran England wicketkeeper-batsman Alec Stewart, six months short of his 40th birthday, sprang to the defence of the "old men" of world sport Sunday, offering special encouragement to besieged England goalkeeper David Seaman. 

Padding up for his seventh Ashes cricket series, Stewart also came out strongly in favor of Australia's ageing Waugh twins, Steve and Mark, being retained for the five-Test scrap starting in less than three weeks. 

Seaman, 39 last month, has been pilloried mercilessly by the British press after conceding a goal directly from a corner in England's embarassing 2-2 draw with Macedonia in a Euro 2004 football qualifier in Southampton last week. 

Seaman's latest miss came after his misjudgement allowed an amazing goal by Brazilian star Ronaldinho in a World Cup quarter-final contest in June. 

Stewart, a veteran of 122 Tests over 12 years, said: "Seaman has copped a bit of flak, but he has been a fantastic performer for England for a number of years. 

"A 39-year-old made a mistake -- so it's been highlighted. If he had made the same error 10 years ago, it would have been just a mistake. 

"The age thing is just an easy line for the media. If a 31-year-old makes a mistake, it's not '31-year-old Jo Bloggs dropped a catch, or let a goal in', but once you get to 35 or so and you do something wrong, then the age comes in. 

"But I suppose you have to accept some of that, because, say, 37 -- as the Waughs are -- or 39 is above average age for cricket. "So you know you have to perform. But you have to perform if you are 39 or 22 to stay in the side." 

Stewart said it seemed fashionable to question the Waughs' abilities. "To me, they have been two fantastic criketers, and I will amazed if they don't both turn up in Brisbane (for the first Test of the new series, starting November 6). 

"What they have done for Australia over many years is fantastic. Everyone is entitled to go through a slight dip in form. 

"Steve Waugh, for about eight years, has been Australia's number one player, I suggest. 

"He misses out in three games possibly and all of a sudden it's a crisis." Stewart said that, regardless of age, a player had to be able to satisfy three criteria. 

"You must enjoy playing, you must be good enough to warrant a place and you have to make sure you are fit enough," he said. 

"If those three things are still in order, it doesn't matter if you are late 30s or early 20s. 

"If any of those are missing -- give it away." 

Stewart said he was happy he met all the criteria. "Former England captain Graham Gooch once said a player knew when it was time to give it away," he said. 

"Hopefully, I will eventually recognise that time. "This is a huge tour for me. I don't have a proud record against Australia -- having played six and lost six Ashes series. 

"It would be a fantastic way to leave Australia -- by winning." Stewart, who played eight seasons of cricket with the Midland-Guildford club in Perth, has scored 7919 Tests runs, with 15 centuries and 40 half "tons".