Ali Bacher admires Australia legend Steve Waugh most after Sachin Tendulkar

The octogenarian and the former top brass of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ali Bacher, has been one of the most proficient administrators in the world of managing cricket. Besides, while South Africa were struggling due to apartheid, he tried to unite the country along with the apex board for the betterment of cricket. Now, at 80, Bacher remains a keen follower of the game and also gives interviews on matters related to the game from time to time.

In the same vein, during an exclusive interview, he spoke at length about various sides of cricket including the two legends of the game Ali Bacher unfazedly admires. Earlier, he spoke about how Australia rated West Indies legend Brian Lara higher than Sachin Tendulkar. Though, he believes that was not true in his eyes. Interestingly, in the same interview, he also talked about the former Australia legend and skipper, Steve Waugh. Surprisingly, despite the Aussies Lara-Tendulkar debate, he admires him greatly.

Dr Ali Bacher fondly remembers the great qualities of one of the greatest captains Australia have ever produced. Recalling his past, he stated that once upon a time he used to conduct plenty of interviews which amounted to a staggering 70 approximately. However, he had one desire left unfulfilled even till that juncture was interviewing Steve Waugh himself. Interestingly enough, Waugh was not a keen person to give interviews to anyone. But as it turned out, Bacher finally got a chance to meet the legend in London to conduct the much-awaited interview.

While carrying on that interview, Bacher revealed that Richard Parker, his the-then producer of the interview, showed Steve Waugh a clip of a Trinidad Test, whereby the former great West Indian bowler, Curtly Ambrose, was delivering a fiery spell. The situation was intense as, at that point, Australia were dealing with some early jolts and Waugh was the next man in. Just when he got ready to face the first ball, he was welcomed with a vicious bouncer by Ambrose which almost knocked off his head.

“The next one I respect enormously is Steve Waugh. God- guts, determination. There was a time when I did a lot of TV interviews, about 70 of them. The one I wanted to interview was Steve Waugh, and he didn't want to be interviewed. But I met him in London, and we did it. During that interview, my producer, Richard Parker, showed a clip of a Test in Trinidad," Bacher emotionally said.

"Steve went into bat I think at 12 (actually 14) for three, a green wicket. Curtly Ambrose runs up and nearly takes off his head. So, what did Steve do? He swore at him. He told me afterwards what he said to him, but I can’t repeat that here! And you see Curtly Ambrose walking to hit him and Richie Richardson stopping him. The next ball, he could have been killed, but Steve fought it out and made an unbeaten 63. He was tough mentally, Steve," Bacher was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

It's the quickest I've ever seen Allan bowl, Steve had guts, he made a hundred: Ali Bacher

Elaborating further on what happened next in that game, Dr Ali Bacher recalled that it was a game in Sydney. Despite Australia playing in their backyard, they were under fire in the middle of some sensational bowling by South Africa. Needless to say, the bowler leading the bowling unit was none other than Allan Donald. The 81-year-old further said that it was the quickest he ever saw Donald bowling in a match but Steve Waugh showed his utmost composure and faced Curtly Ambrose quite bravely and showed his true guts at the crease. Besides, he also mentioned his younger brother Mark Waugh but rated Steve higher because of his sheer mental toughness and never-die attitude.

"He used to be a good puller and hooker before giving it up. I saw Allan Donald bowl to him once in Sydney, it's the quickest I've ever seen Allan bowl. Steve was ducking and ducking and weaving but he had guts, he made a hundred. He was a better player than his (twin) brother (Mark) because he had this mental stubbornness,” Bacher concluded.