Steve Waugh bats for Ganguly by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

SC Ganguly, SR Waugh

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DateLine: 7th May 2009

 

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh said that he believes Kolkata Knight Riders can and will bounce back with the help of former India skipper Sourav Ganguly who can be pivotal.

 

Though the Kolkata side is now virtually out of the IPL, the former Australian great said that with the "resilient" Ganguly in the side, they could still forge a comeback.

 

During a visit to Kolkata in connection with Udayan, a rehabilitation center for children from leprosy affected colonies, Waugh backed the former India skipper and a Kolkata resident, saying the left-hander is a brilliant cricketer.

 

"Ganguly is a resilient cricketer and can bounce back anytime to lift his side's fortunes in the IPL. After all, nothing can be said in cricket," Waugh said.

 

The 1999 World Cup-winning captain, though said he thought Brendon McCullum was a good choice for the captaincy.

 

"(Chris) Gayle was offered captaincy but he declined. Perhaps, Brendon was the automatic choice as he's very much active in international cricket," the 43-year-old Australian said.

 

Waugh was also effusive in his praise for his former coach John Buchanan, who has been under the scanner after the pathetic display.

 

"Buchanan is very good at team management, somebody like a professional manager who brings in unity to a side," he said.

 

On the multiple captaincy theory, Waugh said that he is not sure about it considering till now he has only seen one skipper.

 

"I don't know about multiple captaincy, as till now we are only seeing the Kiwi (McCullum) lead the side."

 

Steve Waugh also spoke about Shane Warne and said that the leg-spinner should not be judged by his captaincy skills in Twenty20.

 

"Twenty20 and other forms of cricket are really different and should not be compared." On the impact of Twenty20 cricket, the Australian said, "If I was 10 years younger, I also could have played T20."