DUBAI Steve Waugh, without doubt one of the greatest cricketers the world has seen, was just stepping out of the Dubai British School premises after a session with the kids when the security personnel near the gate called out his name loudly.
With excitement rendering him speechless, he rushed towards Waugh and requested for an autograph, to which the former Australian skipper generously agreed.
Waugh waited patiently as the man ran to arrange a piece of paper to get the autograph. Once done, and as Waugh was just stepping out, another came running asking for the same. And he too returned a happy man. It was just one of those instances that showed the humble side of this great cricketer.
On Wednesday, the Dubai British School students got to spend some quality time with Waugh and got to learn a lesson or two and they really could not have asked for more.
good sessions
“It’s just an impromptu thing and nothing was planned,” Waugh told XPRESS.
“My daughter is a very good friend of a student of this school and they are best friends. She came and met her yesterday and I was invited to spend some time with the kids. The sessions were good and I hope the kids enjoyed it,” added Waugh, who became the Australian Test captain in 1999 and led Australia in 15 of their world-record 16 successive Test victories.
Waugh was in Abu Dhabi over the last two days attending the MCC World Cricket Committee meeting where former cricketers from around the world attended. “We just discussed issues related to the game. It’s an independent body and MCC are guardians of the game. Disccussion about corruption in cricket was an important one, but we also discussed about future tour plans and all those issues about cricket,” he added.
Waugh praised the current Australian team which did incredibly well in the Ashes to sweep the series 5-0.
“They are doing well. A great result for Australia as it was unexpected. They played tremendous cricket. Their bowling was fantastic and catching very good. Leadership was great, so it’s a good time for our game taking it forward. They just need to get their batting more consistent,” he said.
Praising the efforts of skipper Michael Clarke, he added: “He has done very well and anyone who wins a series 5-0 and in particular the Ashes Series, you are assured that they are playing good cricket and also involves good leadership.”
Andrew Grainger, Primary Physical Education teach of DBS, said: “Having Steve here is an amazing opportunity for the children. He is a legend and the kids have enjoyed the experience.
“Steve gave his expertise on the sport and assisted them with some fielding and batting sessions. The first session was with our younger ones in primary and then with our boys aged seven to nine,” he added.
