Published 18:12 IST, September 6th 2019
12-year-old Australian fan raises money to watch Ashes by the hard way
12-year-old Australian fan Max Waight finally realised his boyhood dream when he got to meet his favourite Aussie players. Max had worked hard to meet the stars
He was desperate to watch the Ashes even if it meant picking up trash for four years to save for the ticket. A 12-year-old boy raised money by taking out his neighbours trash for four years to fulfil his dream of watching Australia take on arch-rivals England in the Ashes and was also rewarded with a bus ride with his heroes, ‘cricket.com.au’ reported. In 2015, Max Waight saw Australia win the World Cup on home soil and it was then that he decided he wanted to see his team take on England in the iconic Ashes series four years later, the website stated. His father Damien Waight told him that if he could earn 1,500 Australian dollars (AUD), he would take him to the UK.Max and his mother came up with the idea of taking out the neighbours’ garbage bins on the weekends for a charge of just AUD 1 per household.
Max Waight's four-year struggles
For four years, Max hauled his neighbours bins out on the weekends.Bit by bit, he was finally able to raise the money asked by his father, who booked the tickets and took the entire family to England to watch the ongoing fourth Test at the Old Trafford in Manchester.
In addition to watching the match, Max also got to meet some of Australia’s cricket royalty. “I sat next to Steve Waugh, Justin Langer and Nathan Lyon,” Max said.
“Justin Langer showed me the plan book which was amazing to see all his notes and talking to Steve Waugh was amazing too.”
He also got to meet his two favourite players.
“Steve Smith and Pat Cummins are my favourites. I got to talk to them about how they prepare and play the game. It was very enjoyable.” At lunch on day two, Australian speedster James Pattinson gave Max a jersey signed by the entire squad.
Steve Smith's scores a solid double century
Steve Smith continued his splendid form in the ongoing Ashes series as he scored his third double century against England. Smith had also raced his way to 26th Test hundred as he not only surpassed Virat Kohli but also Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar to become the second-fastest batsman to 26 tons in the game's longest format. Steve Smith scored a 319-ball 211 which included a couple of lifelines. After Archer had dropped him off his own bowling, Smith was dismissed by Jack Leach for 118. Unfortunately, replays showed that Leach had overstepped and he came back to the crease. In the end, Smith's double ton helped Australia reach 497/8 post which they declared their innings.
Updated 18:33 IST, September 6th 2019