'As Good As It Gets'

Steve Waugh's final day in office was more aboutemotions than the hard cricket he has played in all of his 168 Tests.

"The lap of honour around the stadium, on theshoulder of my mates, was as good as it gets. That is something I will neverforget," said Waugh today as he faced a packed media hall with wife Lynettewatching it from the sidelines.

It is difficult to imagine any cricketer, past orpresent, being accorded a reception as overwhelming as Waugh's.

Over 27,000 spectators wildly cheered him and left onlyafter the great man had disappeared in the sanctity of the dressing room, a goodhour later after the fourth and final match and the series had ended in a draw.

"At the moment it has not sunk in yet that it isover. May be tomorrow morning I would realise it all. It has been an amazingsupport, a very special occasion for me. In a way I have been very lucky and thereaction today just confirms cricket remains people's game," Waugh said.

"It is amazing the way it has panned out. I amproud of the support of my family and friends and those in the stands. Today wasas good as it gets.Waugh, who announced his retirement a couple of months ago, believed he had madethe right choice about his career.

"One has to leave at some stage. It does not getbetter than this. I am not sad, rather lucky to have received so much affectionand people's warmth," said the captain whose gritty 80-run knock todayhelped Australia salvage a draw.

Waugh was mildly critical of the Indians' declarationon the fourth evening and felt that they had stretched their innings a littletoo far.

"I thought it was a bit late and 440 was too hugea target. I would say they gave us only 2 per cent chance of winning." Theskipper also looked back at the day's proceedings, including his innings, hisside's aggression in the final hour and the message he sent for the batsmen inthe last overs to close the shop.

"I was extremely nervous but strangely when Iwalked up to the crase, I felt tranquility. I was very relaxed and wanted to domy stuff.

"It was a dangerous situation and some specialinnings was needed and I was happy I could bat long. In some ways, I owed it tothe crowd.

"It was a brave effort when we stepped up thescoring in the final hour since we were facing a massive score. It was a prettybrave effort.

"But when I fell and Adam too departed, I sent aword for Gilly (Gillespie). It would have been pretty damning to lose the Testfrom that position.

Waugh praised the Indians for their spirit and quality in the series but did notthink they dominated the four-match series.

"The series was played in extremely good spirit.To be sure, when I walked in there was some bantering but it was all friendly.

"I don't think it is right to say India dominatedus in the series. I would say it was an even series.

"Indian batting was sensational and their line-upis the best I have ever seen in my career. The way they batted was a good lessonfor us as well." Waugh said India-Australia contests had the makings of agreat rivalry between two great cricketing nations.

"The way the last six-seven Tests have been playedbetween the two teams, it is fair to say there have been some amazing contests.

"It is certainly a very prestigious series now.The Ashes is important and the Frank Worrell Trophy too but there is no reasonwhy Border-Gavaskar trophy cannot be put alongside it."

Waugh did not think the Australian cricket was indecline and reaffirmed faith in the system to produce quality cricketers.

"It is difficult to maintain top standards. Butthere is depth in Australian cricket. Other teams are coming up and our job willonly get harder but there are quality young players emerging and they would dowell.

PTI