Random Cricket Photos Post 109

#RandomCricketPhotosThatMakeMeHappy

Since the time I started comprehending the world around myself, I have been fascinated with sports. Cricket, despite its complexities, drew me towards itself like nothing else. But as I have grown up, I have realised that the magnitude of complexities of Duckworth Lewis or Follow on rule or the LBW quite simply pales in front of what exists beyond the closed doors of a dressing room. And that's true for any team sport, not only cricket.

The champion Australian side of the late 90's and 2000's was built around the talisman of Warne and unwavering grit of skipper Waugh. Obviously, the likes of McGrath and the younger Waugh were no less important, but Waugh was the natural leader and a part of the old guard who had been ripened to the core before he assumed leadership. Warnie, as has been said about him in innumerable descriptions, was a magician who had shown an ability as well as penchant to spin Australia to victory out of nowhere.

However, as opposed to what appeared on our television screens back in the day, these two pillars of Australian cricket shared anything but a cordial working relationship. Dropped for a Test he desperately wanted to play, Warne could never let go of a grudge against his captain, who, keeping up with his tough as a nail image, never regretted the call. Warne even publicly went on to call his former captain the most selfish man he ever played with seventeen years after the incident. Waugh too had his share of problems with his enfant terrible, whose choice to wear a hat instead of the holy baggy green was taken as a personal affront by the senior Waugh.

Interestingly, this photograph and innumerable such photos in which the two are celebrating together after winning the 1999 World Cup (a victory whose architect was Warne and leader Waugh) came just a month after the seeds of the long feud were sown in a Test series against West Indies.

And that's not the only rift this almost invincible appearing side suffered from. Warne and Gilchrist, who spent most of their careers separated by 23 yards, hardly got along and never missed an opportunity to have a go at each other when asked about each other in press conferences. But that's a story for another day.

It's interesting how behind that cloak of invincibility, there was a team teeming with vulnerabilities on account of some massive egos. However, what's more fascinating is how those vulnerabilities were never allowed to be put on display and the whole unit, when on the pitch, played as a well-oiled machine. A ruthless killing machine.