Legendary Australian cricketer Steve Waugh’s son Austin has decided to take a break from cricket, as per Australian media reports. He reportedly told his Sydney grade club Sutherland that he wasn’t interested in playing this year and wanted to take some time out to rediscover his passion for the sport.
However, reports also suggested that the pressure of carrying one of cricket’s famous surnames may have contributed to the decision as well.
The 21-year-old has represented NSW under-age sides and also played for the Australian Under-19s, showing much promise as an all-rounder.
“He wasn’t that interested in playing this year and wanted to spend a little bit of time away from it,” Sharks captain and Sydney Sixers paceman Ben Dwarshuis told The Sunday Telegraph. “He’s a great player with a lot of potential but you never want to push someone to play.”
“The game can take its toll and having Waugh as a surname just adds that little bit of extra pressure. I think he’s enjoying a bit of time away. Hopefully he takes a year off and comes back refreshed and loving his cricket again,” Dwarshuis added.
Austin, whose game has been compared to his father’s, had been a substitute fielder for the national side during the fourth Test against India in the 2018-2019 tour. Steve, a former captain of the Australian cricket team, has played 168 Tests, captaining the national side 57 times for 41 wins.
“I think our batting styles are pretty different, but our bowling is a bit similar. We have a few similarities, but on the whole, I’m a pretty different player to him,” Austin had said in 2018.