Salute Steve Waugh

Australian captain Steve Waugh joins Sir Don Bradman on 29 Test centuries with a superb 102 not out against England in the fifth Ashes Test.

Is this the best performance of his career?

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Waugh's latest ton brought Australia right back into the match with England and firmed up his own uncertain position in the Test side.

This performance also made Waugh only the third batsman in history to reach 10,000 Test runs.

Waugh's six of the best

His first Test century arrived in 1989 when he helped Australia to a 210-run win over England at Headingley, and his highest score of 200 came against the West Indies in 1995.

Other notable knocks saw him hit a century in both innings against England at Old Trafford in 1997 and also record a score of 157 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 1998.

Send us your tributes and tell us which has been his best innings.

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This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below.

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Most of Steve Waugh's international centuries, especially over the period of the last seven years or so, have come under pressure. They've all been great knocks, typically gritty and determined but the one that stands at the top is his Test best at Barbados.

That is the knock that sets him apart as the greatest batsman of his generation ahead of the Sachin Tendulkars, the Inzamams, the Lara's, the Matty Hayden's is his ability to dig deep when the chips are down and play match-winning knocks.

"You're the best kiddo, the best around!"

Ammar H. Khan, USA

Steve Waugh is a true gladiator in this world of cricket

Balaji Vaidyanathan, India

That innings by Steve Waugh yesterday showed that not only is he one of the greatest captains in Test history, but one of the finest and most determined batsman of all time. Being at the SCG myself, to a man and women, everyone there was batting with Steve Waugh and when he hit the 4 of the last ball, everyone was both relieved that he got there and over the moon at the same time. Now we are asking, why isn't he going to the World Cup?
Matt, Australia

Steve Waugh is a true gladiator in this world of cricket...I salute him for his unending commitment and dedication to his country, sport as well as your self... This world cup will be hardly exciting without you around... Nonetheless....India awaits u...Oh great one...
Balaji Vaidyanathan, India

This Kiwi, now in Japan, was in Sydney when Steve Waugh scored his first marvellous ton against England in 1988. I still remember Geoff Boycott's comment when Waugh scored another four from what was not much more than a front-foot defensive shot that the English bowlers had a long day to come.

15 years later and Waugh continues to prove Boycott correct. But it was not just a long day--it has been a long 15 years. The latest innings does no more than confirm the man's class and ability, something I think we have known were there in abundance for several years now.

Mr. Waugh, Thank you for all the memories and for reminding us all again of just what a tough Aussie battler you are!
Kiwi in Japan, Japan

This is the Steve that we know and greatly respect. If this man wants to retire after the Ashes, it is only fair that he do so in style and honour. This is exactly how he has carried himself and his cricket throughout his career. Steve has been a great trier and his persistence, dedication and devotion to the game has been of the highest order possible.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is included in the World Cup playing 11

Malaiappan Srinivasan, India

Cricket would never be the same without the presence of great personalities like Steve. I hope cricket doesn't end up like tennis where there is an overwhelming influx of good players but a dearth of great personalities. Steve was one of the last survivors of the golden era of cricket which witnessed the likes of Viv Richards, Miandad, Botham, Imran, Kapil to name just a few.
Shanup, India/USA

This is what dreams are made of. This man is determined, focused and absolutely fantastic. It doesn't matter to me if Steve Waugh plays another cricket match. He will, in my opinion, always be one of the best captains and players to grace the game.

What can I say to you Steve? You're beyond words, you're almost mythical.
Shubhayan Mukherjee, San Diego, USA

Steve Waugh may not be the most talented cricketer to have played the game, or the most prolific, or the most stylish. But there can be little doubt that he is the gutsiest. When an innings is needed in the darkest hour I would rather have him at the crease than any other player. Steve Waugh - you are a national treasure!
Greg, Australia

Up there with the best! The media here are baying for his blood as he hasn't scored a 100 for about four Tests! Both Border and Taylor were kept on for their captaincy and they both went through much worse run droughts. Compare their captaincy records with Waugh and you'd let him retire whenever he feels like it! Brilliant innings!
Waz, Australia

Steve Waugh has shown just how classy he is. The innings itself was not his best ever but was fitting for the situation. The Aussie selectors should show more respect for their best players. When they disregarded Mark Waugh, I commented then that the selectors were wrong and should have treated him with more respect. Let's hope that this time they will respect whatever decision Steve decides to make. Well done Steve!
Vicki Causer, England

It is believed that this ton was not his greatest achievement because it did nothing for the team. Australia were 4-0 up in the series, and there seemed to be no need for another victory. People seem to have forgotten that Australia were 150 for 5 at one time in this innings.

Steve Waugh has shown today that he is truly a class act

Richard Henry, Australia

Steve Waugh must be under immense pressure due to all the talk of his retirement. His team is on the verge of achieving a 5-0 whitewash but faltered, and he led them from the front. This is what I call leadership, and one of the best innings of all time.
Hamza Sheikh, USA

"When the going gets tough, Steve gets going" that's how the chemistry between Steve Waugh and cricket should be defined as, and he has proved it throughout his career. With the energy that he is playing with, I wouldn't be surprised if he is included in the World Cup playing 11 at the last second. I will be happy to see Steve in India in 2004.
Malaiappan Srinivasan, India

Well, words are just not enough to describe this "legend". Everytime people write him off, he answers them in his own way. To me, he is the greatest cricketer of the modern era.

I guess after this monumental effort, "Tugga" will be at peace to decide what his next career move is going to be. But the day he steps out of the cricketing arena, the world will miss a "True Warrior" and a "Fine Ambassador" for the game.

My heartfelt congratulations to my idol. Your determination and courage have been an inspiration to me all the way through my life. Keep up the great work "Champion" Waugh.
Madan, USA

Wow! You certainly run out of adjectives. The man has proved to be the best of the current lot. He is definitely way up there in the all time greats too. I just hope that the selectors don't do anything stupid by sacking him. I hope that he would call it a day whenever he wants to.
Ramkumar, USA

I have always been a fan of Steve's. I was lucky enough to see Waugh make yet another ton this afternoon and this very incident has prompted me to write these few lines. The media over the past few days were reporting Waugh's exit from the Test scene and it was probably believed that the ongoing Ashes Test would be his last one. He was supposed to score 69 to get past 10,000 runs, score a century to equal Sir Donald Bradman's record and above all to prove the point that he is not ready to be written-off by the selectors.

Steve ensured that he did everything right and it was no easy task, especially with the Aussies trailing at 150 for 5 at one stage. I truly rate this innings, under tremendous pressure, to show his worth as the best one ever played by him in 15 long years. Steve, you are great.
Hassan Saeed, Pakistan

The true mark of a quality player is not the ability to accumulate large scores, it is the ability to remain composed when the pressure is on, your side is wavering around you and your wicket is the only thing between you and your team's likely demise.

Pressure is something Steve has handled brilliantly throughout his cricketing career

Srinivas Krishnaswamy, India

Steve Waugh has shown today that he is truly a class act, a natural leader, and well deserving of his spot in the national side. His involvement in the next Test series, at least, should be guaranteed.
Richard Henry, Australia

It depends. Is scoring a century to save your career a greater achievement than a score that enables your team to win when the chips are down? In 1989 Waugh made a 177 not out at Headingley. That innings was what really destroyed England for the rest of the series. They went 1-0 down and subsequently lost the Ashes for the first time in seven years. Australia have not looked back since.

His 102 not out on the second day of the Sydney Test represents a lot about Waugh. But Australia are 4-0 up and his score did not come at a really crucial time for the team; it was more of a personal accomplishment. His 177 not out is the real winner.
Rajiv Radhakrishnan, UK

Steve Waugh has just reinforced his position as one of the all-time great cricketers and leaders. He has been a thorn in England's side for more years than any of us England fans wish to remember, but he is a hugely admirable cricketer and a brilliant role model for all aspiring sportspeople.

He is a thorough professional and has given years of pleasure to those of us who appreciate talent, dedication and the competitive spirit - I wish he were English!
Allen, England

Yes, given the circumstances. Waugh is one of the greatest cricketers of his generation and will be missed by millions of genuine cricket fans. A true ambassador for cricket.
Ash, UK

To score 200 against such hostile bowling from Ambrose and Walsh et al on their patch is something else. Congratulations Steve on reaching 10,000 runs, you are a legend!
Michael Morum, Essex, England

It is one of his greatest Test innings. I clapped him all the way to the pavilion. I was not in Sydney, but in front of my televison. Steve Waugh is a legend.
Nawal Saheed, Sri Lanka

Well done Steve, the Caribbean beckons in April surely. Under the circumstances and the pressure, both personal and the state of the game when he walked in, this would rank as one of his best innings. Few batsmen in the world would have the courage to play an innings like this under adversity. Hope to see this great warrior play for a few more years.

Good Luck to you Tugga, you are really a legend in the truest sense.
Ravi Sarma, India

Yes, I suppose so because in all his other innings one factor was missing and that was "uncertainty about his place in the Test side". Pressure is something Steve has handled brilliantly throughout his cricketing career. But yesterday was different! Not only were the Aussies in trouble, but had he failed, it was curtains as far as his career was concerned. At least now he can look forward to his cherished dream of winning a series in India. Great going Steve!
Srinivas Krishnaswamy, India