Cricket has always been one of my favourite sport and I do make it a point to catch up with most of the cricket played around the world.
Australia is unarguably the best team in both the shorter and longer versions of the game. Actually they have been unbeatable since the last few years. I believe that the transition of this Australian side from being a good one to a truly world class team didnt happen overnight. It was a result of some good foresight, competetive domestic cricket, good team management and ofcourse lots of hard work.
One of the reasons for this to happen that they were lucky enough to have being led by some great innovative captains. Allan Border was a great leader but it was under Mark Taylor that this team really went on become a world class team. Apart from being a good captain, he was also a very good opening batsman and a superb slip fielder. Steven Waugh took over the reins of captaincy after Mark retired but by then he already had a bunch of outstanding talent under his belt. Under Waugh, the team reached even higher peaks and went on to create a world record of 16 consecutive test victories. They also won the world cup in 99’ under Waugh. And now, Ricky Ponting looks set to carry forward this legacy for some years to come. Ponting has already achieved great success as one-day captain by winning the recently concluded world cup.
One look at the current Australian team and u know why this team is capable of beating any world eleven.
In Mathew Hayden and Justin Langer, they have one of the finest opening batsmen one has seen in recent times. Michael was an opener for quite a long time until Hayden took over. I used to love seeing Slater play and it was only the unbelievable consistency and talent of Hayden that made him lose his place in the team.
Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Steve Waugh form the backbone of this batting lineup. Mark Waugh at number 4 was a gifted middle order player and we surely miss him now. He too was one of the best slip fielders of all time.
Adam Gilchrist at number 7 , is my favourite cricketer of this current era. When he eventually decides to retire, he will unarguably be the best wicketkeeper-batsman of all time.
Shane Warne ( he ofcourse is currently serving a one year ban) was named as one of the top 5 cricketer of all-time by Wisden and that was not surprising at all. He redefined the art of leg-spin bowling and his delivery to Mike Gatting that bowled him out is still considered to be the ’’Ball Of The Century’’. Stuart Macgill has currently replaced him and he is not doing too badly at all.
Finally, the trio of Mcgrath, Lee and Gillespie is considered as the finest pace attacks in recent times. Mcgrath has been consistent throughout his career and he has this knack of knocking over the best batsman of the opposition team ( Atherton , Kirsten , Lara have been dismissed more times by Mcgrath than any other bowler).
I do hope that Australia continues to find more outstanding players in the years to come and remain the best team for a long time to come.