Veteran test cricket captain Steve Waugh, who turned his team into one of the greatest sides Australia has produced in any sport, said Wednesday he will retire from international play at the end of the upcoming series against India.
"All good things must come to an end," Waugh said at the Sydney Cricket Ground conference.
PHOTO: AFP
"There is that element of sadness. But the overwhelming emotion for me is there is a lot more to do in life and I am looking forward to it."
There was no immediate announcement on a successor but Waugh anointed one-day captain Ricky Ponting as the player most likely to replace him as captain. Ponting later said he would be interested in leading the test team as well.
"The obvious choice is Ricky Ponting," Waugh said. "He has done a great job with the one-day side. He has been groomed to take over."
Waugh has played a world record 164 tests and scored 10,660 runs at an average of 51.25 including 32 centuries, putting him second on the all-time list of century makers behind Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar's 34 and three ahead of Sir Donald Bradman.
Waugh has led Australia 53 times and won an astonishing 40 of his tests as captain, losing just eight and having only five draws -- the small number of draws reflecting his teams' attacking style of play and determination to force results.
Gilchrist, who is in line to be test vice-captain under Ponting, said Waugh had been instrumental in ensuring pride in the famous Australian baggy green cap.
"I'm not saying players before him didn't play with pride and value it but he's the main driver behind that passion and the aura of the baggy green," he said.
Indian batsman Sachin Tendular, playing with his team in a three-day match in Melbourne against Victoria state, said Waugh was a tough competitor.
"I think he set great examples in the way cricket should be played and in tough conditions he would produce some tremendous performances," Tendulkar told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio. "He was completely at a different level as far as mental toughness is concerned."
Tendulkar, who averages 56.57 to Waugh's 51.25 but has played 56 fewer tests, said the fourth test in Sydney would be special.
"It will be nice to play in front of the home crowd, for him I'm sure there will be a lot of support and he thoroughly deserves it."
"I think he's someone I've really admired, he's shown over the years that he's very gutsy and when the time demands it he's there to deliver."
Tendulkar added that the people of India, where Waugh has supported charities, will also miss the Australian test captain.
"I admire the work he does off the field as well especially in Calcutta and I'm sure people back home would be wishing well for him," said Tendulkar.
Khalid Butt of the Pakistan Cricket Board said Waugh helped turn around the sport in Australia.
"He was a great player. He has left an immense impact on international cricket," said Butt. "He has played a great role in the reversal of the Australian cricket fortunes and made it a world leader."
Prime Minister John Howard said Waugh's opposition always respected him.
"He's been a wonderful captain, a wonderful batsman, a gritty, determined competitor," said Howard.
Waugh's highest test score was 200 against the West Indies at Sabina Park in April 1995.
Probably his most emotional century was his 29th -- equaling Bradman's record -- which he brought up with a four off the last ball before stumps on the Friday of the final Ashes test in January at Sydney Cricket Ground. The century was his first in 17 tests and silenced critics who'd said he was too old to captain Australia.
Waugh made his debut for Australia's struggling test side in 1985 against India in Melbourne. If, as expected, he plays all four matches in the upcoming test series against India, he will end his career at his beloved SCG with 168 caps.
Waugh said he knew it was time to retire when his seven-year-old daughter Rosie said he should.
"I've consulted my kids over the last couple of days," said Waugh. "At breakfast the other morning Rosie said to me `I don't want you to go away anymore.'
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