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International Cricketer
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
So, there is always huge discussion in any sport about who is the best, in team sports, that becomes a bit more difficult, in cricket, with all the varied match types, changes in rules over the last 150 years and the difference in quality of pitches, bats, equipment, it is almost impossible. But, by looking at cricket in a times capsule and dividing it up into different eras, I think it becomes easier.
It's quite clear that the early 20th century was defined by the greatness of the Australian teams, boasting players such as Victor Trumper, Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford. Fast forward to the 70s and 80s and it's hard to argue that West Indies dominated, their utter control over test cricket coming to an end in the mid-90s, starting off Australia's time at the top.
So now, we're in a new millennium and a new century and I think it's the perfect time to have a go at ranking the best teams of the early 21st century. I'm going to make a top 5, sorting the wheat from the chaff and only ranking the very best teams. As cricket has grown, so has it's numerous formats, so the best teams will have to show a certain level of dominance or consistency in all formats.
My ranking criteria are as follows, in order of importance:
1. Just how good were they in test cricket?
2. How many, if any, ICC world tournaments did they win?
3. How do they compare to contemporary teams, did they beat the best teams around?
4. Just how good were they in ODI, 50 over cricket?
5. How many great individual players did they produce in this period of time?
6. How have they fared in the newest format of T20 cricket?
7. How has this team influenced cricket as a whole?
W/L Ratio (Tests)*: 2.97
Number of ICC Tournament Wins: 4
Notable Players: Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh
Who else could it be? The Australian domination of cricket started as early as the mid-90s and was solidified in a crushing World Cup final victory over Pakistan in 1999 but it was in this century that the Australians took their domination to a higher level than any other team in recent memory. They would win the 03 and 07 editions of the 50 over world cup as well as back-to-back victories in ICC Champions' Trophy finals.
Their one day success, which may never be matched, was the perfect compliment to their all conquering test side. With wins over old rivals England, the ever consistent South Africa and the rising Indians showed that Australia, at their absolute best, were incredible both home and away. It's not by chance that the teams from 2000-07 consisted of some of the greatest players to ever grace a cricket field. Strong administration, consistent (there's that word again) selection policies and areal eye on grass roots cricket, the Australian side was molded into world beaters.
Both Waugh and Ponting, exceptional batsmen in their own right, were even more important as captains. Their iron willed determination to win and an unerring eye for making the necessary changes when required, allowed Australia to rarely take a step back. The fact that they won 101 of their 161 tests, drawing only 26, showed their reluctance to allow a game to drift. A win was always the priority. Consistent and exciting, that was Australia, always up for a fight.
As we go forward, it's interesting to see how Australia will do in a new landscape, where T20 cricket seems to be overtaking 50 overs. They haven't had the best of starts in the format, lagging miles behind the top dogs of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India. The Australian administration seems lost with the format, they don't know how to select the correct players, this previous tournament a sign of just how confused they are, by picking 2 players approaching middle age.
However, there is a bright spark with the KFC Big Bash, a domestic T20 tournament which to me, is even more exciting than the IPL. It contains better pitches and more competitive games between bat and ball. Australia now needs to mine the young talent within the Big Bash and leave behind the old names of Hodge and Hogg.
The 21st century hasn't been too kind to Australia post 2007, they are no longer the conquerors of the world cup and their test form has been up and down to say the least. They have lost to the best in South Africa and England far too often recently and looked lost at sea abroad, although their battering of England showed us the Australia of recent past, physically superior and psychologically dangerous.
Their ethos, of playing hard and winning at all costs, making cricket a tougher game than it used to be, helped to not only define them at their best but to also influence the way other teams viewed the sport. Some of the arrogance, bluster and aggression seems to have rubbed off on the modern day Indians and for a brief period England, who for 2 years at the top of the food chain, looked teek tough.
Australia, for the best part of a decade ruled the cricketing world with an iron fist and a dangerous mind. Their ethos has influenced the best teams and players from around the world. Maybe they will do it again, sooner, rather than later.
*All stats are relevant as of the 31st of December 2013.
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The number 2 team will be revealed over the next day.
It's quite clear that the early 20th century was defined by the greatness of the Australian teams, boasting players such as Victor Trumper, Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford. Fast forward to the 70s and 80s and it's hard to argue that West Indies dominated, their utter control over test cricket coming to an end in the mid-90s, starting off Australia's time at the top.
So now, we're in a new millennium and a new century and I think it's the perfect time to have a go at ranking the best teams of the early 21st century. I'm going to make a top 5, sorting the wheat from the chaff and only ranking the very best teams. As cricket has grown, so has it's numerous formats, so the best teams will have to show a certain level of dominance or consistency in all formats.
My ranking criteria are as follows, in order of importance:
1. Just how good were they in test cricket?
2. How many, if any, ICC world tournaments did they win?
3. How do they compare to contemporary teams, did they beat the best teams around?
4. Just how good were they in ODI, 50 over cricket?
5. How many great individual players did they produce in this period of time?
6. How have they fared in the newest format of T20 cricket?
7. How has this team influenced cricket as a whole?
The Number One Greatest team of the 21st Century is....Australia
W/L Ratio (Tests)*: 2.97
Number of ICC Tournament Wins: 4
Notable Players: Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh
Who else could it be? The Australian domination of cricket started as early as the mid-90s and was solidified in a crushing World Cup final victory over Pakistan in 1999 but it was in this century that the Australians took their domination to a higher level than any other team in recent memory. They would win the 03 and 07 editions of the 50 over world cup as well as back-to-back victories in ICC Champions' Trophy finals.
Their one day success, which may never be matched, was the perfect compliment to their all conquering test side. With wins over old rivals England, the ever consistent South Africa and the rising Indians showed that Australia, at their absolute best, were incredible both home and away. It's not by chance that the teams from 2000-07 consisted of some of the greatest players to ever grace a cricket field. Strong administration, consistent (there's that word again) selection policies and areal eye on grass roots cricket, the Australian side was molded into world beaters.
Both Waugh and Ponting, exceptional batsmen in their own right, were even more important as captains. Their iron willed determination to win and an unerring eye for making the necessary changes when required, allowed Australia to rarely take a step back. The fact that they won 101 of their 161 tests, drawing only 26, showed their reluctance to allow a game to drift. A win was always the priority. Consistent and exciting, that was Australia, always up for a fight.
As we go forward, it's interesting to see how Australia will do in a new landscape, where T20 cricket seems to be overtaking 50 overs. They haven't had the best of starts in the format, lagging miles behind the top dogs of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India. The Australian administration seems lost with the format, they don't know how to select the correct players, this previous tournament a sign of just how confused they are, by picking 2 players approaching middle age.
However, there is a bright spark with the KFC Big Bash, a domestic T20 tournament which to me, is even more exciting than the IPL. It contains better pitches and more competitive games between bat and ball. Australia now needs to mine the young talent within the Big Bash and leave behind the old names of Hodge and Hogg.
The 21st century hasn't been too kind to Australia post 2007, they are no longer the conquerors of the world cup and their test form has been up and down to say the least. They have lost to the best in South Africa and England far too often recently and looked lost at sea abroad, although their battering of England showed us the Australia of recent past, physically superior and psychologically dangerous.
Their ethos, of playing hard and winning at all costs, making cricket a tougher game than it used to be, helped to not only define them at their best but to also influence the way other teams viewed the sport. Some of the arrogance, bluster and aggression seems to have rubbed off on the modern day Indians and for a brief period England, who for 2 years at the top of the food chain, looked teek tough.
Australia, for the best part of a decade ruled the cricketing world with an iron fist and a dangerous mind. Their ethos has influenced the best teams and players from around the world. Maybe they will do it again, sooner, rather than later.
*All stats are relevant as of the 31st of December 2013.
----------
The number 2 team will be revealed over the next day.
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