`We were at our clinical best' - Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh on history being made with Pakistan being shot out twice for their second lowest total: "It is the best we have bowled for a long while"
Agha Akbar
04-Jul-2005
Captain's Comments
Steve Waugh on history being made with Pakistan being shot out twice for their second lowest total:
"It is the best we have bowled for a long while. We played the way we thought about before the match. We didn't expect it to be that easy, but we kept on applying pressure on the Pakistani batsmen, and Matthew's innings also was crucial. It ensured that we had a big first innings lead so that we didn't have to bat again."
On losing the toss:
"The toss is not in my control. And I don't care which way it goes. If you play good cricket you're going to win regardless of the toss. I've been captain in 39 Tests, and only once have we lost a game in which I also lost the toss. The toss really is not that important."
On the psychological impact of the way the series has gone on Pakistan:
"Well, there are two ways to look at it. They can play their natural game or dwell on what has happened here. I'm sure we are going to play good cricket in the third Test and finish off three-nil."
On whether this was his best victory:
"We played our best cricket and enjoyed it at Johannesburg [in the last series against South Africa]. This side is not as strong as South Africa, but it was a very clinical, very professional performance today. Once we sensed victory we thought that we would finish it. We did that, so it is very pleasing."
On the weather conditions at Sharjah:
"The tied Test was worse than that, and probably a one-dayer that I've played at Cochin. But this was very difficult. It was around 50 degrees, and it was tough, it could be dangerous if you don't watch your fluid intake. Tough conditions, but only the toughest side in the world could win in these conditions."
On some catches going down again:
"Well, the bowlers put the ball in the right spots and we set the field accordingly. We caught pretty well. We dropped some, but it was much better than the last Test."
On Andy Bichel stepping in for Jason Gillespie:
"Well, Bichel bowled very well, but we knew that he would never let us down. He bowled an inspiring spell today, he bowled six or seven overs on the trot when we would never have asked him to do that. Yes, he bowled very well and took four crucial wickets."
On whether it was very hard to hit around Australia:
"We have always been like this in Australian cricket. You've got to make the most of your talent you got. The side that we have at the moment... we're not always going to win like that. In fact, it may turn around at some stage. So we just got to enjoy while it's happening. The Windies 15 years ago thought that it was always going to be on top, and look where they are now. So you never want to take it for granted in Test cricket."
On questions about his and his brother's form with the bat:
"You don't have to be judged by one ball. I thought that I was a bit unlucky, but I don't want to make too much of it. I was here and gone, and you can't really say whether I was in or out of form. I felt good at the nets. Yeah, there would be debate about it, but I would get on playing cricket."
On Matthew Hayden's innings:
"Well, he is as good as anyone in the world at the moment."
On whether he was concerned at Pakistan's capitulation:
"We expected to work a bit harder to win a Test match. Still, we would take it. We recall that we didn't get a wicket in a whole day at Calcutta. So when it comes your way, and you've worked hard for it, it's nice to accept. Yes, I can understand if a side is bowled out for 50-odd twice, and they're expected to be one of the better sides going around, probably there'd be some concern out there. But from our point of view, we tried to finish it as quickly as we could. But it is very pleasing if you have worked hard to win a Test match."
On Waqar and his troubles:
"As a captain he has got to lift his side. After Colombo they thought they had a very chance of winning this Test. After hearing him talk about the first Test, there is no room for sympathy there yet. There is one more Test to go, and they could easily come back and win that.
Waqar Younis on the reasons for the defeat:
"Well, we didn't bat well, in fact we batted poorly. The pitch was not easy to bat on and we also have a very inexperienced side. Youngsters were given a chance as Inzamam and Yousuf Youhana were nursing injuries while Wasim Akram and Saeed Anwar opted out. We just have to get on with the youngsters and give them maximum chance to perform.
On whether Youhana would be coming over for the third Test:
"Youhana might join the team shortly. He will train with the boys and let's see how well has he recovered."
On whether his captaincy would now be under threat:
"Well, I'm under no pressure. I just want Pakistan to do well."
On the chances of recovery:
"Well, it would be a big challenge for the team to bounce back after such a big defeat. But I think it cannot get any worse than this... We have to forget what happened today and think positive to save our skins."
On the Aussies:
"The Australian bowlers bowled very well and stuck to their task. Warne bowled exceptionally well and it seems our young batsmen are facing difficulties against him."