Steve Waugh: Australia The 'Greatest One-Day Team'
Brad Hogg (left) and Adam Gilchrist, both singled out by Steve Waugh for special praise.
©REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (BARBADOS) Picture Supplied by Action Images
After the side completed a never before achieved World Cup 'hat-trick' by beating Sri Lanka by 53 runs, Waugh believes this side is the best in the country's history.
Talking to the Daily Telegraph, he said: "Australia have simply been a class above all
others throughout the whole tournament and have excelled in all facets encompassing skill, fitness and strength of mind.
"They have been indestructible and etched themselves into history as arguably the greatest one-day team ever.''
Waugh also paid tribute to Adam Gilchrist's record-breaking 149 runs in the final.
"He single-handedly extinguished the hopes of Sri Lanka and in turn gave his team-mates the luxury of being able to totally relax and enjoy the moment,'' he added.
"When in the mood, or with something to prove, no ground is big enough and no bowler safe from his onslaught.
"Champions like Gilly love the big stage. He virtually stole the match with his own bat, typically playing with such a high grip on the handle that it gives him a fuller swing, in turn allowing tense forearms and steely wrists to club the ball as if it was a shot from a cannon.''
Waugh also praised one of the more unsung heroes of the Australian side, left-arm spinner Brad Hogg:
"The postman-turned-spinner was so hard to read, he will never get the headlines or soft drink commercials, yet has had two exceptional World Cups in a row.
"His guile and economy gave the attack balance and his variation was such that he was never mastered.
"Surely he must come under consideration for a Test spot next season.''
