Steve Waugh and wife Lynette have explained why they’re selling a home that’s been in their family for 70 years. The Australian cricket legend and his wife have listed the three-bedroom house in Patonga, on the Central Coast of NSW, and will fetch a modest sum for it.
Described as the Waugh family’s ‘weekender’, the ‘fibro-majestic’ home has been in Lynette’s family for nearly 70 years after her grandparents bought the block of land in 1956. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom house was dubbed ‘Lazy Days’ and is the centre of many happy memories for the Waughs.
But Lynette told Domain: “Two houses are too many,” in reference to another property they own in Patonga. Steve said: “Patonga is the place to clear your mind. There’s nothing like it. During my cricket years I’d always go there to recharge the batteries, to reinvigorate myself for the next season.”
Lynette is said to have taught Steve how to fish in Patonga Creek, while they’ll always have fond memories of playing backyard cricket with their kids there. The house is set to go to auction in early December, and the Waughs have set a price guide of $1.6 million.
Waugh played 168 Tests and 325 one-day internationals for Australia, captaining his country in both formats. He scored 10,927 runs at Test level at an average of 51.06, and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever batters and captains.
Steve Waugh lashes out amid sorry state of Test cricket
The 59-year-old has become increasingly worried about the future of Test cricket in recent years, with many countries opting to prioritise the T20 format ahead of tradition. It came to a head in January when South Africa sent a severely-weakened Test team to New Zealand because they prioritised their new domestic T20 competition and wanted their big-names playing that.
“Obviously they don’t care,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald. “If I was New Zealand I wouldn’t even play the series. I don’t know why they’re even playing. Why would you when it shows a lack of respect for New Zealand cricket?
“It’s pretty obvious what the problem is. The West Indies aren’t sending their full-strength side (to Australia this summer). They haven’t picked a full-strength Test team for a couple of years now. Someone like Nicholas Pooran is really a Test batsman who doesn’t play Test cricket. Jason Holder, probably their best player, is not playing now. Even Pakistan didn’t send a full side. If the ICC or someone doesn’t step in shortly then Test cricket doesn’t become Test cricket because you’re not testing yourself against the best players.”
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Michael Clarke, a fellow former Test captain, echoed that sentiment. “It’s sad to see, to be honest,” he said on ESPN. “I understand South Africa’s reasoning, but Test cricket is the pinnacle in my eyes. No domestic competition, in the world, should come in front of it.
“Playing for your country is the most important thing. It is sad to see this is the case. Imagine if Australia did this, imagine if India did this…fans want to see the best players play, but there is no doubt if the best players are not going to be picked for Test cricket, it’s an uphill battle.”
