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Originally Posted by Graham
And what about us finding a Shane Warne from somewhere? And if that was Australia "below par", it's a damn good job they weren't on top form!!
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Warne is a once in a lifetime, if your lucky player, chances are that neither of us will ever see anyone as good, ever again.
I don't think the Aussies were below par, I think that was their best shot, they are past their 'sell by date'.
To be honest, I don't think this Australian side have ever been a 'super' side.
The simple fact is that they have had 6 or 7 very good batsmen and 2 world class bowlers. This coincided with a period in which the rest of world cricket was at its lowest level in terms of real class for a very long time. Try to name really 'World Class' players over the past fifteen years. The West Indies have Brian Lara, India, Sachin Tendulkar, Sri Lanka have Murali ( but a lot of knowledgable people think that he is a chucker ). Pakistan had Wasim & Wakar, but they were on the way down a long time ago. N.Zealand have only ever had Richard Hadlee in the past, who could definately be deemed World Class, South Africa have had Alan Donald, possibly Shaune Pollock and maybe Lance Kluseiner [sp] for a short period, ( no coincidence that they pushed the Aussies more than anyone else). So you see there has been a dearth of real talent in depth for a long, long time.
I am absolutely certain that if this current Australian side, even at its very best, came up against the West Indies sides of the mid to late 70's and early 80's they would get hammered.
Note, no English players in my list. but that doesn't include the present team.
