Australia would travel to India for a one off test, and would lose—unable to contest with the spin of Anil Kumble, who would take nine wickets for the match. In the same year, Australia would lose to Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup final.
This would be a minor setback in the Australians reign. Following this, they would win their next five series—including retaining the Ashes in England in 1997 for the fifth consecutive time. In six tests the twin attack of Warne and McGrath would account for 60 wickets.
In March of 1998 Australia would again lose in India. Again Kumble would be their tormentor, taking 23 wickets in the three-test series.
Another Ashes triumph would follow, in which Taylor would retire, and iceman Steve Waugh would assume control of the Australian team.
Waugh’s reign would not commence brilliantly, drawing with the West Indies 2-2, and then losing to Sri Lanka on the sub-continent.
However, he would lead his men to World Cup glory in 1999, starting an astonishing run of three consecutive World Cup titles.
Concluding this would see Adam Gilchrist, the most destructive batting keeper in history—displace Ian Healy in the side. This would give Australia arguably the most powerful team lineup the world had ever seen.
This would be proved especially true as Australia embarked on undefeated series wins against Zimbabwe and New Zealand away—and Pakistan, India and the West Indies at home.
This would see an incredible world record sequence of 16 consecutive test match victories.
The 16th test win would come at the beginning of the test series in India with Australia easily beating the home team by 10 wickets. But in Kolkata at Eden Gardens, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid would combine to put on 376 runs for the fifth wicket.
The final match would be won in Chennai by India, and Harbhajan Singh would take 32 wickets for the series at an improbable average of 17.
Australia would take out their frustration on England, again defeating the English at home 4-1.
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