Advertisement

Cricket world celebrates return of Steve Waugh's son Austin after three years away

Austin Waugh took a break from cricket at the end of 2020, but has since made his return.

Steve Waugh, pictured here with son Austin.
Steve Waugh's son Austin is back playing cricket after a three-year break. Image: Getty

Three years after he walked away from cricket in a bid to regain his hunger, Austin Waugh has quietly made his way back to the centre. Waugh, the son of Australian Test great Steve and nephew to Mark, quit club cricket in December 2020 after falling out of love with the game.

Sutherland's captain – NSW and Sydney Sixers all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis – said at the time: "He wasn’t that interested in playing this year and wanted to spend a little bit of time away from it. He's a great player with a lot of potential but you never want to push someone to play.

'WASN'T HAPPY': Cocky move backfires as Perth Scorchers dumped from BBL

WHOOPS: Darren Lehmann's embarrassing moment in Brisbane Heat loss

"The game can take its toll and having Waugh as a surname just adds that little bit of extra pressure. I think he's enjoying a bit of time away. Hopefully he takes a year off and comes back refreshed and loving his cricket again.”

Austin Waugh, pictured here at the Under-19 World Cup in 2018.
Austin Waugh in action for Australia at the Under-19 World Cup in 2018. (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)

One year became two and turned into three. But just when it was thought Austin, a talented all-rounder who represented Australia at under-19 level, had been lost to cricket forever, he made a low-key return for Sutherland's second grade team just before Christmas.

The 24-year-old took 1-7 from three overs and made 44 from 51 balls, earning an immediate promotion to first grade. In the past two games he has taken four wickets and scored 22 and 80 – the half-century winning him the 'Shark of the Round' award for the club's best performed player.

Cricket fans delighted to see Austin Waugh back playing

Supporters took to social media to enthusiastically welcome his return. Former Australia fast bowler Stuart Clark, who is Sutherland's chairman-of-selectors, is delighted to have Waugh back but has removed any expectation on what the future holds.

"We love him, he's a great kid, and it’s great he's playing again," Clark told Yahoo Sport Australia. "As long as he's enjoying himself, that's all that matters."

Austin Waugh in 2019.
Austin Waugh got called up to carry the drinks for the Aussie Test team in 2019. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Waugh has previously discussed the challenge of carrying a famous surname, but denied it was a burden. "He's always going to be there, people are going to have an interest in him, being the player that he was," he said of his father. "I am not worried about that. People see him as a different person (but) I just see him as my dad." Steve Waugh once said of his son: "There are a lot of talented kids and I don’t want to put any more pressure on him."

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.