‘Wow. He can really play.’
Australian cricket great Steve Waugh’s son, Austin Waugh, is eyeing big-time cricket again after receiving his first senior cap for New South Wales.
Austin has been racking up the runs in grade cricket and has now been selected to play for the NSW second XI.
Austin’s name was in the spotlight as a teeanger and he played for Australia’s under-19 team in the 2018 ICC World Cup .
But he went off the radar when he admittedly fell out of love with the game.
Austin is now 25, and has been blasting centuries for Premier club Randwick-Petersham.
During a semi-final against Gordon District in February he smacked 139 runs off 147 balls at Coogee Oval.
Austin Waugh in 2018 after he was selected for Australia’s ICC U19 team. Credit: ICC via Getty Images
He has been opening the batting and has made four centuries this season.
“I took a bit of time away from cricket to find the love for it again and rediscover myself as a person outside of cricket as well,” Waugh told News Corp.
“I had plenty of support (during my break), not just from my dad, but my mum and people around me.
“They totally understood that I needed a break, so there was no pressure at all from dad. He just wanted me to enjoy myself again and enjoy what I was doing. He’s always been there to support me through any decision I’ve made.”
Former Australian pace bowler Mike Whitney is president of Randwick-Petersham.
And Whitney says he doesn’t think Austin knows how good he can be.
“I said to him, ‘I just want to see Austin, mate.’ I want to see you, Austin Waugh. I want you to go out and play like Austin and enjoy it like Austin wants to,” Whitney said.
Steve and Austin Waugh during an Australian training session in 2018. Credit: Getty Images
“I know Austin has that burning desire back. He’s fallen back in love with the game again and that’s evident by the way he’s playing.
“I’ve seen him score a couple of those hundreds. Wow. He can really play.
“I don’t know whether he realises how good he is because he can bowl really good seamers as well and he’s a gun in the field. He’s got the whole all-rounder thing covered off and he’s had a great year for us.”
