A run out dashes Steve Waugh's century dream (Source: @ICC/x.com)
Calling the Ashes the ultimate battle of cricket wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Over the years, the Test series has created a stage where every session tells a new story of grit and courage. But as every coin has two sides, the series witnessed some hardest heartbreaks too.
Whenever England and Australia meet on the big stage, fans always stay on the edge of their seats. Breaking records is every player’s dream, but the pressure often brings heartbreak, as Steve Waugh discovered during the 1995 Ashes.
In Perth, as the fierce rivals clashed, Steve Waugh stood unbeaten on 99, agonizingly short of a well-deserved century. Let’s take a look back at the heartbreaking memory.
Waugh stands on 99 and feels the agony
Among all the Test series across the globe, Ashes hits different. With a rich history of red-ball drama, record-breaking milestones, and unrelenting excitement, it has never failed to captivate fans. As the arch-rivals step into the field to have an edge over the opponent, sometimes heartbreak follows their way.
In Ashes 1995, when England and Australia met on the big stage, fans expected a thriller, but Steve Waugh had a massive heartbreak. Batting first, Australia didn’t have a great start as they lost two wickets in 55 runs, but Michael Slater and Mark Waugh’s incredible partnership turned the tide. After Slater walked away scoring a century, Steve Waugh joined his brother Mark Waugh.
But the partnership didn’t last long as Mark Waugh walked away with 88 runs, and that put the Aussies under pressure. In front of lethal English bowling, the Aussie batting lineup was crumbling, but Waugh stood tall like a pillar. Tightening his grip, he was guiding Australia to a challenging total.
Completing his half-century, he set his eyes on a century, without realizing that a heartbreaking twist was closing towards him. After McGrath’s dismissal, Craig McDermott joined him. But as he was injured, Waugh’s twin brother came as a runner. Steve Waugh was standing on 99, and a deserving century was waiting for him.
But the ill-fated twist came when he faced Chris Lewis. After dropping the ball at his feet, he took a few steps down the pitch, hesitating on a quick single. But Mark was already halfway across. In a desperate attempt to save the game, he dived but suffered a heartbreaking run out.
After that dismissal, the curtains fell on Australia’s innings in 402 runs, and Steve Waugh remained unbeaten in 99 runs in 183 deliveries. The century seemed so close, but destiny put that apart, and even in Australia’s record win in the match, Waugh’s near-miss century remained a heartbreaking part.
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