SYDNEY, Jan 1: Timing is everything for cricketers and Australia's retiring captain Steve Waugh believes he has chosen his moment perfectly.
More than 18 years after making his international debut and despite being agonisingly close to passing Allan Border's world record for the most Test runs, he wants to move on, satisfied that he has already achieved everything he wanted.
His farewell Test, against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, promises to be an emotional send-off but the 38-year-old says he has no regrets. "There's no real sadness about it. I don't feel it's a sad occasion," he said. "I've been lucky to have played a lot of matches. I've had great experiences around the world, played against great players, met a lot of fantastic people, seen a lot of different cultures.
"There's nothing to be sad about, I've definitely been fortunate." Waugh spurned the chance to make a fairytale ending to his career when he scored a breathtaking century against England in Sydney last year.
He went into the match needing a miracle to save his career. He had already been dropped from the one-day team and the selectors had made it clear his Test job was on the line by dumping his twin brother Mark before the Ashes.
With his destiny back in his own hands, Waugh announced he would retire after the final Test with India, ensuring he finished in his home town of Sydney.
"It's definitely the right place to finish up. It's not always possible and once again I've been pretty lucky it's happened this way," Waugh said. "It's a great place to play cricket. There's something special about playing at the SCG. I think it is the best atmosphere of any ground in the world when it's filled to capacity."-Reuters
