The final chapter on the look of Australia’s dominance.
Two test series against South Africa would be drawn, and would signal the end of an era as Allan Border retired from international cricket.
He had been the key figure in ensuring Australia was ready to rule the cricketing world. He would retire with but the one regret—failure to defeat the West Indies in a test series.
Australia at this stage had a settled and powerful lineup, and travelled to Pakistan. Pakistan would win the series 1-0, but controversy would come with the tour, with Shane Warne, Tim May, and Mark Waugh accusing Salim Malik of bribing them to underperform.
Both Warne and Malik would be named men of the series.
This was the beginning of the greatest era in Australian cricketing history. With the exception of India, Australia would lose only one test series for the next decade.
Another Ashes series would be won with almost preposterous ease, especially considering the batting lineup of the English, anchored by Graham Thorpe. The series would be won 3-1 by Australia.
Mark Taylor then took his men to West Indies, the stronghold of world cricket. The West Indians had not lost a series in 15 years, and despite retirements, still wielded the last great fast bowling pair in Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose.
The first three tests saw the series poised at 1-1 before an epic fourth test. A brilliant double century by Steve Waugh would effectively bat the West Indies out of the match, and Australia would wallop the home team by an innings and 53 runs.
This would see Australia take the Frank Worrell trophy and unofficially take the mantle as the unquestioned number one team in the world.
They have not lost to the West Indians in a series since.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka would be defeated in Australia by the new kings of the world, and in the latter series the youngest Tasmanian by the name of Ricky Ponting.
4 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
Sam Parnell 5 months ago
Nice series James. Where do you think they go from here? Is this the peak? Will it be SA or India as the next number 1?
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James Mortimer 5 months ago
Mate, I think the peak has been reached.
But with players such as Ponting, Clarke - and the continued development of Haddin, their all rounder (either Symonds but I think Watson) and their fledging bowling attack, they won't be humbled.
I think India or SA will continue, the litmus test will be when India tours a major competitor (such as SA, Aust or even maybe Sri Lanka).
But I doubt we will ever see such domination from a team again. West Indies had the mantle for decades, then Australia, but India or SA won't be overwhelmingly dominant, maybe for a year or two, but not for decades.....
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Redbirds Cricket 5 months ago
Nice recap of Cricket Australia. I think its too early to pass any kind of verdict on this new look of Australia. It will be a true test for Australian cricket as to how the team will regroup and respond in the upcoming series against Australia. Sam, I think India and South Africa already have rattled Australia's # 1 spot and staked a claim and thats why I personally am very keen to see how Australia will respond in the upcoming series and either re-establish themselves or establish that the year 2008 was not a dream year where India and South Africa almost dethroned Australia.
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James Mortimer 5 months ago
Agreed. A team like Australia has been too strong for them just to lie down.
Even when Australia knocked the Windies off in 94/95, they kept being a threat for many years to follow. However, losses of players such as Lara and inept administration eventually saw them reach the state they are in now.
I think the series in SA and then the Ashes will be massive.
Personally, I think its great that Test cricket has suddenly become so watchable again.
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