A drawn series in New Zealand would follow, before again Waugh and his men continued to be unbeatable, winning seven consecutive series, and losing only three test matches along the way.
This would include yet another Ashes triumph, with Australia recording their eighth consecutive series victory over the English.
India would then come to Australia, and the two old foes would draw the series 1-1, with again Laxman and Dravid hitting huge centuries in the second test to take the match and series away from Australia.
Steve Waugh would retire at the conclusion of this series. His one blemish would be failure to defeat India in the sub-continent.
Ricky Ponting would assume the captaincy. He would immediately stamp his authority on his side and the world, winning six consecutive series. In this time his team would lose but one test match against India.
But he would guide Australia to their first series win against their nemesis since 1969. This series victory ensured that the Baggy Green was dominant in all forms of the game, against all comers.
In 2005, England would stage one of the great sporting upsets, defeating a heavily favoured Australian team to take the Ashes, 2-1.
Despite this, Australia would continue to rule the cricket world, with Ponting’s men following this with victory over a World XI and a 3-0 sweep over the West Indies.
A draw against South Africa in the first match of their series would be followed by Ponting taking his team to another 16 consecutive test victories, matching the record set by Steve Waugh. Ironically this sequence would be broken by India.
This would include a 5-0 drubbing of England to retain the Ashes.
From 1980 to before the series loss to India in October of 2008—Australia would win 150 test matches. Since the year 2000 they have lost just 15 test matches.
It is doubtful we shall ever see such a run duplicated.
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