Go back to basics – Waugh

STEVE Waugh wants Cricket Australia to treat Sheffield Shield and grade cricket with more respect.

Waugh led Australia through a dominant era; none of the country’s long-term Test captains have bettered his winning ratio of 72 per cent.

The legend has been floated as a potential white knight for Australian cricket, which is desperate for success but as keen to regain the respect of fans following the Cape Town cheating scandal.

Waugh, who departs next month on his Captain’s Ride charity event, says he is yet to be approached by CA about a formal role.

But the 53-year-old has informally shared some thoughts with new coach Justin Langer and key players.

He suggested CA should have more respect for its traditional school of hard knocks.

“When I played for Australia I couldn’t wait to go back and play grade cricket,” he said.

“That’s why we were always strong.

“Now it’s seen as cause for celebration, people are put on a pedestal because they’re playing grade cricket.”

Waugh highlighted how international stars had been replaced in Shield matches in recent years, reducing those contests to being “almost fitness tests”.

“Once you lose that basis and strong culture, that’s why we’re in trouble,” he said.

“We’re crumbling a bit in those areas. There’s great pathways, coaching, facilities.

“But we just need to get back to that hard-nosed cricket at grade and Shield level, then you’ll see the best players coming through and developing.”

Steve Smith and David Warner return to grade cricket on Saturday, with the former playing alongside Waugh’s son Austin for Sutherland.

The suspended superstars would have gone the whole summer without making a single grade appearance, if not for their bans.