Considered a one-day allrounder when he first appeared for Australia in 1985, Steve Waugh evolved into perhaps the world's most dependable Test batsman as his career progressed. Early in his career, his bowling and lower order batting were key to his side's 1987 World Cup triumph. Back injuries have reduced his bowling duties of late but he still steps in for an occasional over, often with great impact. It took until the 1989 tour of England for him to finally establish a place in the Test team. His greatest performances, though, have been with the bat - his 200 against the West Indies at Sabina Park in 1995 and his centuries in each innings at Old Trafford in 1997. At one-day level his 120 in a vital second-round match-up with South Africa in the 1999 World Cup is a highlight. Having made the 20th century of his Test career in the first ever five-dayer against Zimbabwe, Waugh just needs a hundred against India to have achieved the milestone against every Test opponent.

Update - Steve Waugh achieved this earlier this year by scoring a century against India. Not only did he become the first player to accomplish this feat, he went on to score 150+ against New Zealand in March 2000 to become the only person to score 150+ against every Test playing nation. You have to wonder if this will ever be beaten, Well done Steve.

Steve and slightly younger twin Mark began their Test careers fighting for the same place in the side but are now both fixtures in the team. Steve is a little more solid within the side, while Mark likes to make his shots more regularly.

Steve's assumption of the Australian captaincy, however, seems to have added to his play. His position of authority, coupled with his batting ability, puts him in complete control on the field. Waugh took over the captaincy of the one-day team in 1997/98 and then of the Test team upon Mark Taylor's retirement in early 1999. The extra time he had at the helm of the one-day side saw a solid unit come together with plenty of time before the 1999 World Cup, which they won in style. Despite his great focus on the team and the game, though, Waugh realises there is more to life. In July 1998, touched by the plight of the children of Indian leprosy sufferers,he agreed to be the patron of a new wing the Nivedita Bhavan hospice.