Steve Waugh evokes total loyalty: Langer |
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 If he asks me to run into a brick wall, I would start running as hard as I could. Not because I am a dummy, but because I dont think Tugga would ask me to do this unless he truly believed I could get through that brick wall.
That was Australian opener Justin Langer outlining the loyalty captain Stephen Roger Waugh evokes in an article in the magazine Steve Waugh: The Tribute presented by Inside Edge.
The 100-page issue with childhood pictures of the twins - Mark and Steve - has articles, apart from Langer, from former teammate Colin Miller and former Australia captain Richie Benaud among several other writers in a tribute to one of the worlds best cricketers.
Apart from his career statistics, the magazine also gives Waughs 10 best innings, including his career-prolonging century against England early this year at Sydney.
The man, who gave up style for substance, grew from a talented bits-and-pieces player to the most dependable middle-order bat and to Australia captain, was once described by former teammate Greg Mathews, who said: Steve has more talent in his little finger than I have in my entire body.
But Waugh can be best described in his own words from the magazine: Ones dignity may be assaulted, vandalised and cruelly mocked, but it can not be taken away unless it is surrendered.
A must read.
Real needs more than Beckham to save them
 David BeckhamThe news doing the rounds is that David Beckham will join Real Madrid this summer.
Then again, the news doing the rounds is that he wont!
Too much shouldnt be read into the fact that the European giants, who crashed out in Turin Wednesday night, went public saying they werent interested in Beckham.
They had done almost the same while dealings were on for two of their other huge signings in the last three of years Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo. They both are an integral part of Madrids legion of gods now.
But the clinical way in which Juventus took Real Madrids Champions League challenge apart may well make the club pause and wonder if Becks is a luxury they can afford?
Such a move would fit perfectly with the clubs strategy over the past three years, when they have paid top dollar to bring in Figo from Barcelona, Zidane from Juventus and Ronaldo from Inter.
But the frailty of the defence and the lack of defensive midfield play were fully exposed on Wednesday, and Perez may now have to revise his policy of bringing in just one world-class player and relying on the youth team for further reinforcements. It might be time to get some workhorses in there.
In memory of Toshack
 Ernie ToshackErnie Toshack, the Australian spin stalwart, who passed away earlier this week was one of the great characters of the game.
At a formal dinner for the 1948 Australian team, Toshack was rolling a piece of bread in his hand.
What do you think will happen if you bowl that to the Don? asked the gentleman who was seated next to him. Without pausing in his act, Toshack snapped , Oh, hed hit it clean over the bakery!
The 1948 team was full of loud appealers. Wicketkeeper Don Tallon appealed the loudest, but there was an element of artistry in Toshack striking an attitude as he turned, raising both hands high towards the umpire.
Then came the clear and loud cry, Ow Whizz E which floated across the ground and penetrated every nook. The media gallery named Toshack, The Voice and the fun-loving bowler did not mind it one bit.
A typical number 10 or 11 batsman, Toshack enjoyed batting and was proud of the fact that along with opener Arthur Morris, he was the only one not to score a duck during the entire English tour! In the fourth Test at Leeds, Toshack with an injured knee partnered Lindwall in a rollicking last wicket stand.
Bill Johnstone, tall, lanky and another comic character, ran for Toshack. The tall left handers, unaccustomed to have and be a runner ran like grasshoppers which did not hop, the last wicket stand produced 55 runs and much hilarity.
Inputs from Arun Janardhan and V Gangadhar
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