April 5th holds a special place in cricket history. On this day, 33 years ago, Australian cricket legends Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh took to the field together in a Test match for the first time. Their simultaneous appearance marked a first in Test cricket history for twins. The game took place in Port of Spain during Australia's tour of the West Indies. Together, Steve and Mark participated in 108 Test matches. In one-day internationals (ODI), the brothers represented Australia together in 214 matches.
Steve is just four minutes older than Mark
Born on June 2, 1965, Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh were separated by a mere four minutes in age. Steve made his Test debut against India in December 1985, while his younger brother Mark joined Test cricket five years later. Mark was selected for the Test team in January 1991, taking Steve's place. He celebrated his selection by scoring a century with the Australian team. During an Ashes series match in Adelaide, Mark secured his spot on the team with a commanding 138-run knock. Just three months later, Steve Waugh made his comeback to the Test team, making April 5th, 1991 a historic day.
...When Steve broke the news of his brother's selection
Following Mark's selection to the Test team, he dedicated himself to refining his game. One day, Steve and Mark's parents were discussing, 'Mark has started playing well. We wonder when the day will come for Mark to play Test cricket for our country.' Suddenly, Steve walked in. He had overheard their conversation. With a smile, he said, 'Your conversation has turned true. Mark has been selected for the next Ashes Test.'
Source: aajtak
Amidst this, Steve's mother asked him, 'Son, who did the selectors drop from the team for Mark?' Steve calmly replied, 'Me.' This left the parents staring at Steve in disbelief. Mark immediately hugged Steve and said - 'Wish everyone had a brother like you.'
Little-Known Facts About Steve and Mark
♦ Steve and Mark Waugh were the first set of twins to play Test cricket, followed by New Zealand's twins, Hamish Marshall and James Marshall, who made their appearance together in March 2005 against Australia in Test cricket.
♦ In 1987, Australia won its first Cricket World Cup under the leadership of Allan Border, with a young Steve as well as Tom Moody part of the team. When Australia clinched the World Cup again in 1999, both these players were present, with Steve serving as the captain.
♦ In August 1998, Steve Waugh represented Ireland in a first-class match and five one-day matches against Australia-A as part of ICC's development program.
♦ It was a dark period in Mark Waugh's career when it was revealed in 1998 that he and Shane Warne had accepted money from an Indian bookmaker four years earlier during a tour of Sri Lanka.
Steve and Mark's Test Performance
Steve Waugh: 168 Tests, 260 innings, 10,927 runs, best of 200, 51.06 average, 32 centuries, and 50 half-centuries.
Mark Waugh: 128 Tests, 209 innings, 8,029 runs, best of 153*, 41.81 average, 20 centuries, and 47 half-centuries.
The Waughs Together in Test Cricket (1991-2002)
Steve Waugh: 108 matches, 171 innings, 7,628 runs, best of 200, 54.87 average, 25 centuries, and 31 half-centuries.
Mark Waugh: 108 matches, 176 innings, 6,698 runs, best of 140, 41.09 average, 16 centuries, and 40 half-centuries.
