October 22 Tuesday 2002
Home fans hail Steve Waugh's return to form

SYDNEY: Australian fans, who had been baying for the blood of the Waugh twins as they struggled through innings after innings, hailed on Monday the return to form of Test captain Steve against Pakistan.

"Old Waugh horse not ready for the knackery yet," headlined one commentary in 'The Australian' newspaper after Steve Waugh scored a grinding 103 not out in Sharjah on Sunday for his 28th Test century. "Never doubt the heart of a champion," wrote Jon Pierik in 'The Daily Telegraph,' which celebrated Waugh's feat with the headline: "Insult 
awakens a sleeping giant", a reference to Pakistan coach Richard Pybus' claim that Waugh was in a midlife crisis.

"Some doubted whether he still had the desire needed to prosper at the elite level while others felt his technique was shot and he was living off determination alone. So much for those theories," Pierik wrote.

The century was seen as ensuring Steve Waugh would play in his ninth Ashes series against England next month, a privilege brother Mark was still struggling to earn after being caught out for 23 on Sunday.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard joined in praise for the captain's comeback, seen by many as a morale booster in the dark days of mourning following the Bali bombing tragedy. "He's gone through the horrors and copped a lot of flak and it shows what a tough, resilient bloke he is and of course what a wonderful cricketer he is," Howard said.