Mother of all criticism for Aussie selectors

NEENA BHANDARI

SYDNEY, FEBRUARY 17: As the debate over Steve Waugh’s sacking continues amidst the public and media here, even after the appointment of Ricky Ponting as his successor, Waugh’s mother has said that the selectors have taken the backbone out of the Australian team.

"They have taken the backbone out of the one-day team and I hope the morale of the team does not suffer. Stephen and Mark are going to give 100 per cent. They will turn this disappointment into something really positive," Bev Waugh was quoted as saying by the Sun Herald.

Mrs Waugh said that she has been overwhelmed by the public support for her son.

"The best thing to happen from this shocking news has been the strong public support. I feel so proud because the people of Australia are behind us.

"People matter. They have more understanding of the game than some of the experts." The news indeed came as a shocking disappointment for Bev and husband Rodger as apparently Steve was assured of his spot only a week before the decision was announced. Steve’s grandmother Dorothea Bourne was also upset about his dumping and the first thing Steve did in South Africa was to call and assure her that he was alright and there was nothing to worry.

His uncle, New South Wales selector Dion Bourne, told the paper that Steve may have played his last game of international limited overs cricket and he was completely committed to the challenge ahead.