Perfect batting model: No pair of sporting twins created such an impact jointly as Steve and Mark Waugh
In the history of cricket, no pair of twin brothers has ever asserted as much influence on the game as Steve and Mark Waugh. They had completely contrasting styles of play, yet together they played an instrumental role in Australia’s resurgence as a superpower in international cricket.
The twin brothers turn 60 later in June this year. Mark was born just four minutes after Steve.
Steve Waugh was the ultimate epitome of sporting temperament, mental tenacity, consistency, and solidity.
In a crisis, or when resurrecting a team from the grave, Steve Waugh was possibly the best batsman of his day. I can never forget the innumerable occasions he revived a sinking ship or conquered difficult wickets. He mastered all types of conditions—from the turning tracks of the subcontinent to the seaming English pitches, and the bouncy surfaces of Australia, the Caribbean, and South Africa.
Steve began his career as an all-rounder against India in 1985-86, playing a predominant role, particularly in winning ODIs. His organised and tight bowling, especially in the death overs, and the finishing flourish he provided in the final stages were crucial in Australia’s first Cricket World Cup triumph in 1987. Steve remained as cool as a cucumber in the most precarious or nerve-wracking situations, excelling in every department of the game.
He transitioned from a more-than-useful ODI cricketer into an outstanding Test batsman in 1989. During the 1989 Ashes in England, he blossomed as a truly great batsman, averaging over 92 and epitomising consistency. He played an integral role in Australia regaining the Ashes. In that series, at Headingley, he registered his first-ever Test century after 27 Tests and forty-two innings, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 177 in an innings of exceptional power and conviction. His square cutting was sensational. A fortnight later, he scored an unbeaten 152 at Lord’s.
From 1990 to 1992, Steve’s batting career went into a slump. He made a resolute comeback at Trent Bridge in 1993, scoring an unbeaten 47.
In the West Indies in 1995, Steve Waugh literally remodelled his batting style to combat their electrifying pace attack. His 200 in the final Test blended every ingredient of the perfect batsman: temperament, technical correctness, and mental tenacity. Steve executed drives, square cuts, and sweeps with precision, facing 425 deliveries and spending nine and a quarter hours at the crease. His 231-run stand for the third wicket with brother Mark not only won the series for Australia but also secured their unofficial claim to the Test world championship title. On a wearing pitch, combating fiery pace bowling, that knock was a testament to Steve’s mental resilience, grit, and mastery in adjusting his method of play. Earlier in the 3rd Test at Trinidad, on a broken track, Steve showed surgical precision when carrying the innings on his shoulders with an unbeaten 63.
In 1996 at Delhi, even in a losing cause, Steve compiled a gem—an invaluable unbeaten 67, reminiscent of digging a borewell in a desert.
Steve also played some gems in South Africa, averaging 78.25 in 1997, including a match-winning 160 at Johannesburg.
However, it was his innings of 120 off just 110 balls against South Africa at Leeds in a virtual knockout game during the 1999 World Cup that lingers most in fans' memories. After being dropped with the score at 152-3, Waugh set out to carve one of cricket’s classical innings, guiding his team home in their pursuit of 275. He produced one of the most clinical and organised exhibitions of batting to revive Australia from dire straits and lead them to the pinnacle of glory. It was a masterclass in mental tenacity and the "never-say-die" spirit, comparable to a counter-operation by a military battalion.
Steve proved to be an outstanding captain, elevating Australia to a level of invincibility unseen since the days of Bradman. He led Australia to a record 16 consecutive Test wins, 13 straight ODI victories, and World Cup triumphs in 1999 and 2003. He passed the baton to Ricky Ponting in 2004, who emulated Waugh’s leadership and sustained the team's dominance. Steve Waugh won 41 of his 57 Tests as skipper—a record at the time.
Mark Waugh
Mark Waugh wielded his bat like a magic wand, personifying grace, creativity, and flair.
On his day, Mark could turn a match 180 degrees and emulate the brilliance of Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara. Technically refined, he caressed the fastest bowlers and finest spinners on any track with remorseless ease. Mark’s on-side driving was pure genius, and in full flow, he explored regions few batsmen ever did.
Mark started his career as a batsman in far more spectacular style than Steve, making his debut during the home Ashes series in 1990-91. In his debut innings at Adelaide, his 138 epitomised beauty, grace, and perfect timing. In the West Indies in 1991, his 132 at Antigua was a masterpiece. At home against the West Indies in 1996-97, Mark relished their express pace attack, scoring four fifties.
At Durban in 1997, Mark’s 125 virtually resurrected Australia from dire straits on a wearing track, chasing a target of 258. He batted like a surgeon performing a miraculous operation, his deft placements and improvised strokes showcasing wizardry rarely seen. His 100 at Sydney against South Africa was a masterpiece on a wet and wearing track. He averaged over 70 in that series, overshadowing Steve.
Mark scored three centuries in the 1996 World Cup, becoming the first player to do so in a single edition. He averaged over 70, arguably displaying more flair than even Tendulkar. His century at Mumbai was a true gem. In 1998 at Bangalore, Mark’s 153 personified mastery on a difficult track. In 2001, he scored 173 in an ODI final at Melbourne against the West Indies, off just 148 balls—an innings that transcended previously unexplored realms of batting domination.
Comparison Between Steve and Mark Waugh
Steve was the more calculating; Mark, the more explosive. Steve was rugged, like a carpenter chiselling his tools; Mark, graceful and aesthetic, wielding his bat like a magic wand. Steve was more determined; Mark, more naturally gifted. Steve was the more consistent and durable, but Mark could be the better player on his day.
Steve ended his career amassing 10,927 runs, with 32 centuries and an average of 51.06, in 168 Tests and 260 innings. Mark finished his Test career with 20 centuries, 8,029 runs at an average of 41.83, with a highest score of 153 in 128 Tests and 209 innings.
In winning Test matches, Mark averaged 48.91 with 15 centuries, while Steve averaged 69.46 with 25 centuries and 6,460 runs. Steve averaged a phenomenal 74.22 in England, an impressive 68.25 in the West Indies, and a healthy 50.25 in South Africa. Overseas, he averaged 55.85, compared to 47.58 at home.
In ODIs, Mark overshadowed Steve. Steve averaged 32.90, with 7,569 runs and 3 centuries, while Mark averaged 39.35, with 8,500 runs and 18 centuries.
Steve also captured 82 Test wickets at an average of 37.44 and 195 ODI scalps at 32.90. Mark took 85 ODI wickets at 34.56.
Statistically, Steve outclassed Mark in Test cricket and is generally held in higher esteem. However, in my personal opinion, Mark’s prowess and technical skill allowed him to turn the complexion of games more decisively on his day. Steve was more consistent in a crisis, but Mark had superior skill in coping with or dominating high-class pace and spin bowling. At his best, Mark could overshadow Steve, particularly when facing the likes of Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, or Curtly Ambrose. From 1992 to 1995, Mark executed his craft with greater finesse and capability against top-tier bowling.
Ex-cricketers like Gary Sobers, Viv Richards, and Sunil Gavaskar even placed Mark above Steve. In my view, Mark exhibited more mastery than Steve at his peak—especially on notorious surfaces and against lethal bowling—proving to be the ultimate match-winner.
On his day, Steve’s batting resembled that of Javed Miandad or Allan Border, while Mark’s mirrored the artistry of Tendulkar or Lara. In the final analysis, I would bracket Mark Waugh with the likes of Zaheer Abbas and David Gower, while Steve Waugh belongs in the class of Allan Border and Rahul Dravid.
Possibly, if you fused Steve and Mark Waugh into one player, you would have the perfect batsman—combining Steve’s relentless mental tenacity and durability with Mark’s creative genius and stroke-making flair.
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*Freelance journalist
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