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How to tune into Sport NationHow Border almost stopped iconic Waugh innings
Jack Elliott • November 1st, 2025 7:29 pm
It was an innings etched in cricket folklore, and an innings that was a decision away from never happening.
After being dropped from the ODI team in 2002 after a disappointing tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, Steve Waugh’s cricket career was hanging by a thread.
And the shocks continued to come later in the year, with the former skipper left out of the preliminary squad for the 2003 World Cup, handing over the captaincy to rising star Ricky Ponting.
And as Allan Border recounts, leaving Waugh out of the side was one of the toughest decisions of his career as Australian selector.
“I think leaving Steven Waugh out of the one-day team. That was a toughie,” Border told SENQ Breakfast.
The decision was eventually vindicated, with Ponting captaining his side to a 125-run victory over India in the final.
Entering 2003 without a place in the ODI side and a Test career on the brink of being over, it was the infamous century at the SCG in 2003 that single-handedly saved Waugh’s career.
“Up to that point, he was on really thin ice,” Border said.
With the series win already sealed and Waugh staring down the barrel of his final Test appearance for his country, the Australian great notched up one of the most iconic centuries in Ashes history.
In front of an adoring Sydney crowd, Waugh brought up an Australian record-equalling 29th career century on the final ball of day two, smashing the ball to the fence to set the SCG alight.
An historic moment which Border almost prevented.
“He got himself a hundred and earnt himself through and started to play like we know Steve Waugh can,” Border said.
Allan Border’s first stint as a selector for the Australian cricket team was between 1998 and 2005.
