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| December 14, 2001 | Friday | Ramazan 28, 1422 |
Waugh twins playing 100th Test together
ADELAIDE (Australia), Dec 13: Cricket’s most famous twins, Steve and Mark Waugh, will celebrate another century partnership Friday when Australia play South Africa in the first of three Tests.
The two brothers have featured in so many memorable batting partnerships over the years that they have lost count of their achievements, but this week is special, and unique, because it will be their 100th Test together.
Only 41 sets of brothers have played at least one Test match together and, of those, only the Waughs are twins.
Their 100 Tests together is far and away the most by two brothers, almost double the next best of 54 by the Zimbabwean siblings Andy and Grant Flower.
Typically, the Waughs were not even aware of the milestone until told by journalists this week.
“It’s very surprising. I would have thought we’d only have played about 60 or 70 but time does fly,” said Steve, the older of the two by three minutes.
“But we don’t want to get too carried away about it at the moment but later on when we retire and look back on it, it will be significant.
“It’s really just nice for the family, for mum and dad — all the sacrifices they made with us growing up.”
Australia’s leading bookmaking firm, CentreBet, said that the odds on twins playing 100 Tests together are so remote that any prospective punter could have picked their own price.
Even more astonishing is the manner in which the pair’s careers have unfolded. Steve, now Australian captain, is playing his 143rd Test while Mark is up to his 120th.
Steve made his Test debut against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1985-86 but Mark had to wait another six years for his call-up.
Mark finally made his debut against England at the Adelaide Oval in 1990-91, marking the occasion with a majestic 138, but it was a bittersweet moment as he had been promoted to the national side at the expense of his brother.—Reuters
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