Steven Waugh

Steve Rodger Waugh is the ultimate cricketer of the world. At the age of 20 he was facing ashes defeats one after another and losing all of his cricketing confidence. Then he helped win a World Cup and made 393 runs before losing his wicket in England in 1989 .Upon his recall to test cricket, he minimalised his batsmanship, going through the risk and waiting for the loose ball, which he still punished severely. He was all but forced to give up bowling by back problems. A series of excellent innings, none better than his 200 in Jamaica to speed Australia to an historic series win. But he was denied the opportunity to defend his title when he was unceremoniously axed from the one-day side, He railed against his omission of himself, but even he couldn't reverse it. He continued as Test captain, winning yet another Ashes series in 2002-03, and continuing for the West Indian tour that followed Australia's 2003 World Cup win under Ricky Ponting. Steven Waugh wrote a series of successful tour diaries, helped set up a charity for the daughters in Calcutta. At 36 years of age, he won the Allan Border Medal as Australia's best player of 2001. He finally retired at the end of the 2003-04 series against India, bowing out with 80, his last shot an untypical heave to backward square leg.

After playing in nine successive Ashes series, the 2002 rubber was to be Australian captain Steve Waugh's last against England, and was to prove one of the most greatest victory's he has enjoyed against the English. The series began with what many regard in hindsight as one of the worst captaincy decisions of all time, as the captain won the toss for England in the first Test and sent Australia in to bat. By the end of the first day, Australia had made a staggering 364/2, and placed a stamp of authority on the series as they raced to victory by 384 runs. This was followed by two innings victories to Australia, and a fairly comfortable five-wicket win. England only managed to save some face with a 225-run victory in the final Test. The series' most memorable moment came on the second day of the Fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Leading into the match Waugh had been under the pump by selectors and the media over his age and lack of recent form, having not posted a Test century since 2001. As this was the last match of the series and last Test of the Australian summer, Waugh was likely to be dropped from the team if he failed again in this match. Asked before the match about the defining moment of a career likely to soon be over. In a stunning display of determination and guts, he scored a chanceless century on the second afternoon.

He had entered the final over of the day on 96 not out, and hit a boundary off the last ball to bring up his hundred. Waugh left the ground to an emotional standing ovation by the crowd, his Test career saved. It came to be known as his 'Perfect Day'.

Steve Waugh Australian of the year (2005)

To Steve Waugh, being Australian is about looking after your mates, taking care of your family, and being a leader. Born in Sydney, Steve still lives in the southern suburbs with his young family. Steve was spotted as a talented cricketer at the young age 17. He was selected for the New South Wales side while playing first grade cricket in Sydney, and wore the baggy green cap for the first time in 1985, on a tour of South Africa. He was the new kid on the block, and was a given a golden opportunity by the Australian Cricket team.

Steve Waugh has played representative cricket for Australia since 1985, retiring in January 2004. His incredible career went for 18 years; he has produced some outstanding moments in Australian sporting