Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh is set to join the team as a mentor ahead of the Ashes which begins on August 1, their Test skipper Tim Paine announced on Wednesday.
“I know it is something that JL (head coach Justin Langer) and myself have been quite big on, that is to try and get some of our past legends in and around the team,” Paine was quoted as saying to Cricket Australia.
“During the World Cup as well, we have had Ricky (Ponting), and now with the Test series, we are very fortunate to have Steve Waugh who is, obviously, a legend and is going to be a great service for myself as a leader and captain.
“I think to have someone like him around during a Test series is going to be great for our whole group.
“I know I will be trying to bounce off him as much as I can. As I said, coming to England at times, particularly with the pressure and scrutiny that is around the team at the moment, I think he is someone who is regarded for handling that sort of stuff really well.
“For guys like myself and (Steve) Smith and (David) Warner who are quite experienced, it will be great. It's also going to be great for some of our younger players as well.”
In the past, the Aussies have seen the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Mathew Hayden don the mentor’s role during their tour of India, while their World Cup-winning skipper Ricky Pointing is a part of the team at the ongoing 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Even coach Langer said that former greats can help Australia in rebuilding their image after the ball-tampering incident in Cape Town, 15 months ago. “During the summer, we had plenty of guys who wanted to come and support the Australian Cricket Team,” Langer said.
“We love having them around, whether it’s ‘Haydos’, ‘Punter’ (Ponting), Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Steve Waugh, Simon Katich.
“It’s like having all the Australian brothers around.
“Whoever wants to come around and help support us and get better — they’re always welcome.”
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Manjunath Kiran
