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Courier-Mail
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Who is the greatest Aussie cricketer of the 21st century?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia has no shortage of cricketing legends, with the country consistently producing an array of stars. But as the 21st century continues to unfold, almost weekly through the Aussie summer, fans and pundits debate who is the greatest cricketer of the modern era. To celebrate the launch of the new app, we're celebrating the people, places and events we'll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia's view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. From the pace and leadership of current Australian Test captain Pat Cummins to the unparalleled batting prowess of Ricky Ponting, to the spin king himself Shane Warne, each player has a serious claim to GOAT (greatest of all time) status. But after delved into the debate, it can be settled once and for all as former cricket greats and those closest to the players themselves unanimously declared without missing a beat that one man in particular stands above the rest. After almost 10,000 votes, Shane Keith Warne was a clear-cut choice, ahead of Ponting and Steve Smith. Who is the best Aussie cricketer of the 21st century? Adam Gilchrist Shane Warne Glenn McGrath Ricky Ponting Ellyse Perry Meg Lanning Nathan Lyon Steve Smith Michael Clarke Pat Cummins Cast your vote Which Aussies can stake a claim as the 21st century cricket GOAT? We only included cricket played from 2000 onwards. So for this reason Steve Waugh, who retired from Test cricket in January 2004, was a tough omission. In 1999 he was appointed Test captain and led an Australian team that in the years ahead scored a record 16 successive straight victories, truly incredible. And while his crowning year was 2001 when he won the Allan Border medal, Tugga and his lucky red handkerchief didn't quite squeeze into our top 10. Who is the greatest Australian male cricketer of the 21st century? Australia has been blessed with some incredible cricketers in the past few decades but there can only be one GOAT. Ponting completely transformed what it meant to be a No.3. With an average of 51.85 and a highest score of 257, he lays claim to the third most Test hundreds in the history of the game. Ponting was also the definition of a true leader, someone who when he opens his mouth, you stop whatever you are doing to listen. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY Then there are the likes of Smith and Michael Clarke, whose batting statistics hold them among the greats not just in Australian cricket but world cricket. While with the ball Cummins and McGrath both revolutionised fast bowling in their own way. Cummins has also won everything possible as captain of Australia, and McGrath is seen by many still as Australia's greatest-ever fast bowler. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY Then there's Lyon, the only spinner since Warne to be a regular in the Australian Test side, undroppable throughout his Test career and a bowler who thrives on any pitch condition. The tweaker sits third on the list of most wickets in Australian Test cricket history with 556, just one behind McGrath, and by the time he retires will almost certainly be second behind only Warne. While Gilchrist revolutionised what it means to be a wicketkeeper. Before 'Gilly' you could be just a quality keeper who could barely bat but his range of free-flowing strokes and quick game-changing runs has changed the requirements of modern wicketkeepers. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY But when asking who is the best player of this century, there was one name we kept hearing, Shane Warne. Aussie cricket legend Adam Gilchrist didn't even hesitate. 'There is more to it (the GOAT debate) than just statistics,' Gilchrist told earlier this year. 'Shane Warne is the greatest ever. 'Away from his wickets, Warnie was also an incredible batsman. He just left way too many runs out there when he played. I don't even think he knew his own batting talent. 'When it comes down to pure batting and bowling talent, catching and just all-round brilliant cricket brain, Warnie is No.1. 'For Warnie to achieve what he did and especially living the way he did and still managed to achieve it all, it shows he is a true champion.' Sports presenter Mark Howard echoed a similar sentiment. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'Without a doubt number one I would say Warnie because he changed the game. We hadn't seen a leg spinner like Shane before Shane and we haven't seen a spinner like Shane since,' Howard said. 'So if you compare him to all other leg spinners he's that far in front statistically and then you can get to the bums on seats factor. 'Any time Warnie was bowling you couldn't get out of your seat. At the game or watching on telly, which I've got some extremely fond memories of growing up, you are glued to the game. 'He is best clearly even though only half his career was in this century for me. He's not just the best but the most exciting, the most effective, the most captivating, the most controversial and the most extraordinary.' X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'Every time I sat next to Shane in a commentary box, which was one of the great experiences of my life, he would say stuff that I would think just think wow,' Howard added. 'You would be blown away every time he talks and think gee he would have made a fantastic captain of Australia.' Warne truly revolutionised the art of leg-spin bowling and had a staggering tally of over 700 Test wickets. His ability to turn matches single-handedly, coupled with his charisma, captivated fans worldwide and left an indelible legacy in Australian cricket, making him the Aussie cricket goat of the 21st century. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY Who is the greatest Aussie female cricketer of the 21st century? The two women up for consideration are Elysse Perry and Meg Lanning. They are unanimously considered the best two women to ever play the game for Australia. The only others who could possibly be in that conversation are Karen Rolton and Belinda Clark. However, Clark retired at the end of 2005 and her body of work in that time isn't enough to lay claim to being the greatest of the 21st century. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY While Rolton is an Australian cricket icon, it would be a hard case to make that she has a superior resume this century than the aforementioned duo. And when asked Howard who springs to mind, he immediately said it is between Lanning and Perry. 'It's very hard to split Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry. Meg Lanning is the best batter in the female game I've ever seen and just gets runs when required,' Howard told 'Ellyse in the last three or four years she's completely changed her game and been truly exceptional. Perry has been the most dominant female cricketer around the world for the 20th century no doubt. 'And the fact that she's represented her nation in World Cups in two different sports and has scored a goal shows she's just a phenomenon.' Not just a cricket nuffie? Take the rest of our 25@25 polls Originally published as Who is the greatest Aussie cricketer of the 21st century?
Times of Oman
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
India declare innings, setting a target of 608 runs for England
Birmingham: Indian Captain Shubman Gill's 161 off 162 balls saw India declare their innings at 427/6 in the final session on Day 4, setting a target of 608 runs for England. Indian skipper Gill concluded a record-breaking Birmingham Test against England with breathtaking knocks of 269 and 161 across both innings, making him the batter with the second-highest aggregate of runs in a Test match. While the first innings knock of 269 in 387 balls (with 30 fours and three sixes) was a marathon to tire out England bowlers simply, he pressed the accelerator in the second innings to construct a knock of 161 in 162 balls, with 13 fours and eight sixes, which was just as mesmerising. With 430 runs across both innings, Gill has the second-highest aggregate of runs in a single Test, below England's Graham Gooch, who had an output of 456 runs after scoring 333 and 123 against India at Lord's back in 1990. He also became the second batter to register 150-plus scores in both innings of a Test after Allan Border (150* & 153) against Pakistan in Lahore in 1980. Gill's outing is also the first instance of a 250-plus and 150-plus score in a Test by a batter. He has become only second Indian after Gavaskar to hit a double ton and century in the same Test, scoring 124 and 220 against West Indies at Port of Spain in 1971. Other batters having achieved this feat include Australia's KD Walters, West Indies RG Lowe, Australia's Greg Chappell, England's Gooch, WI icon Lara, Sri Lanka's Sangakkara and Australia's Marnus Labuschagne. He has outdone ex-skipper and legendary batter Virat Kohli (243 and 50) to have the highest aggregate by an Indian captain in a Test match. Virat's effort came against Sri Lanka at his home stadium, Arun Jaitley Stadium, back in December 2017. Gill is the second Asian batter with 350-plus aggregate in a Test outside the subcontinent after Pakistan's Hanif Mohammad (354: 17 and 337) at Bridgetown in 1958.' The youngster is also the third Asian batter to have a 300-plus run aggregate in a Test taking place in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia (SENA) countries after Rahul Dravid (305) and Sachin Tendulkar (301) did that in Adelaide and Sydney respectively in 2003-04. He is also the only third Indian captain to have a 100-plus score in both innings of the Test, besides Gavaskar (against West Indies in Kolkata, 1978), Virat (against Sri Lanka in 2017). Gill is the second player to record three hundred in his first two Tests as captain after Virat Kohli. Gill's masterful century after his classy double ton in the first innings has put India in a strong position in the second Test against England, with the visitors ahead of the hosts by 484 runs at Tea on the penultimate day. Rishabh Pant's scintillating innings of 65 runs off 58 balls helped India quickly pile up the runs. India was 304/4 at Tea with Gill (100*) and Jadeja (25*) unbeaten. India started the second session at 177/3, with Gill 24* and Pant 41* unbeaten at the crease.
West Australian
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Justin Langer: Are those cigarette-stained images really ‘the good old days'?
Hanging on the wall in my daughter Ali's kitchen is a sign declaring 'THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.' It's perched above her eclectic collection of cool coffee cups, one of which states, 'Life's Too Short for Shitty Mugs.' I smile every time I walk into Ali's kitchen of philosophy. And I smile when I think of the good old days. Like the night before my cricket Test debut for Australia, when I walked into an Adelaide hotel. I was already on cloud nine, as earlier that day I'd received the shock call-up, and within a couple of hours I was on a flight to Adelaide. There at the bar were Allan Border, David Boon, the Waugh brothers, Ian Healy, Merv Hughes, Mark Taylor and others. Greeted with handshakes and a nod of the head, I was handed a glass of beer poured from a jug of the hotel's coldest and best. 'Boony' was sitting with a cigarette hanging from his mouth and the whole team was talking and preparing for the mighty West Indies the following morning. 'Ah, the good old days.' When I share this scene in my keynote presentations, I then joke about modern-day players by saying something along the lines of: 'These days the players aren't drinking jugs of beer the night before a game. They are shaving their legs, meditating, spiritual healing, shining their diamond earrings and counting their cash.' This is always met with raucous laughter, which is amplified when I finish off by saying: 'Ah, the good old days.' The phrase, 'These Are the Good Old Days,' carries a delicious irony that would make even the most seasoned philosopher chuckle into their café latte. The good old days is a curious psychological phenomenon that seems to be hard-wired into our brains; a concept where we romanticise the past, while simultaneously failing to recognise the present moment for what it might become in the future. From an Australian perspective, this sentiment takes on particularly vivid dimensions. Ask any baby boomer about the good old days and you'll hear tales of unlocked front-doors, milk delivered in glass bottles, Commodores and Falcons, 20 cent bags of mixed lollies, and Saturday afternoon footy matches where you could actually afford a meat pie and a beer without taking out a second mortgage. There's a wistful longing for the Australia of Menzies-era suburbia, where a single income could buy a quarter-acre block and the biggest worry was whether the cricket would be rained out. Life was so simple back then, we often hear. Yet scratch beneath this golden veneer and you'll find a more complex reality. Those same good old days featured asbestos in every ceiling, lead in the paint, 17 per cent interest rates, smoking sections behind a curtain on domestic flights and in every public space. Women needed their husband's permission to open a bank account, and the White Australia Policy was still casting its long shadow. Indigenous Australians weren't even counted in the census until 1967, and multiculturalism was barely a glimmer in Gough Whitlam's eye. The universal truth about good old days nostalgia is that it's highly selective memory at work. Back in 1993, when I made my Test debut, Bob Simpson was our coach and 'AB' was our captain. We travelled with one physio (Errol Alcott), a scorer and a team manager, who was a member of the Australian Cricket Board. In all we had four support staff. This made life simple to a degree, but we had to fend for ourselves. Resilience wasn't a buzz word as it is today. Instead, it was like an invisible muscle that grew in us, if we were able to survive the battle of the fittest and best. Most of us had to have a 'real' job, especially if you weren't a consistent member of the team. My first Australian, non-negotiable contract was $7500. Even back then, it was hard to live off that. We were paid another $1100 a Test match, but getting into that first XI, and therefore being paid, was as tough as pulling out your own teeth with a pair of pliers. We shared rooms, sometimes with a chain smoker. There were no mobile phones, so we would have to reverse charge call to our families, or spend a fortune ringing home from the hotel, or pay phone, from wherever we were in the world. Showing any sign of weakness was taboo, concussion protocols were unheard of and every changing room we walked into there were cartons of Benson and Hedges cigarettes on the table in the middle of the room. Six stubbies and a toasted sandwich before bed were the staple diet for our more seasoned players during a Test match. 'Ah the good old days.' Just a few weeks ago I returned from another stint in the Indian Premier League. Gone are the days of four support staff, a stubbie and a toasted ham and cheese 'toastie' before bed. On many occasions we would board a chartered flight with up to 90 people as a part of our entourage: players, coaches, physios, doctors, sport scientists, managers, social media crews and massage therapists. Most of whom have their assistants to assist the assistants. There were literally people everywhere. With wealth comes players with their own personal chefs, minders and trainers. More bums on seats as they say. No wonder the chartered flights are preferred. But then, the more people the less work as well. For past generations this makes less sense because players, coaches and support staff are being paid more than one could only dream of a few decades ago. Who gets paid more to do less? 'The world has gone mad' we say, 'It's nuts it seems,' but 'these are the good old days,' or at least they will be down the track. Players also play the game differently today. Last week Indian superstar Rishab Pant, smashed two Test hundreds against India. He danced down the pitch, sat on his backside playing reverse sweeps and lapping the fast bowlers, before doing his signature front flip for the crowd when he brought up his centuries. Remember Sam Konstas's debut innings at the MCG last summer? What a memory. Even if Geoffrey Boycott, Border and Sunny Gavaskar didn't play Test cricket like that in the good old days when they batted all day with fire in their eyes, Konstas's emergence won't be forgotten. It's no different in other sports. For example, the modern AFL player, who now kicks a goal every weekend from a set shot with a banana, right in front of goals. What happened to the safe and tested purity of a drop punt? God forbid, what would Jason Dunstall, Austin Robertson and Tony 'Plugger' Lockett think of that? Perhaps the real wisdom lies in recognising that every era has its shadows and its light. Jigsaw puzzles, family connection and the simplicity of COVID enforcement may tell happy past tales down the track. But, for many others, that certainly won't be the case. Professional athletes being paid handsomely for pursuing their passion was once a fantasy. Today it is a reality and privilege that brings with it responsibility. In this social media world, there is nowhere to hide on or off their field of dreams. Kids currently learning to code in primary school, growing up with renewable energy and marriage equality are givens rather than dreams in today's society. In time, they will be tomorrow's nostalgia. The truth is, I love the sign in Ali's kitchen because we shouldn't forget that these probably are 'the good old days'. Our normal lives, disguised as ordinary weeknights, weekend drinks with friends, and those perfect winter mornings when the coffee and warm muffin tastes just right, are all our living memories, our future selves will treasure. While there's something lovely about pausing to reflect on time and our memories of the past - it's one of those conversations that reminds us why being human is so wonderfully complicated. When we scroll through our phones wondering where the world has become lost and why young Australians are facing housing unaffordability, let's not forget we are also the most globally connected, environmentally conscious, and socially progressive generation in our history. Maybe the secret isn't waiting for recognition from hindsight, but rather, developing the ability to spot the extraordinary hiding in plain sight. After all, in 20 years' time, someone will undoubtedly be lamenting the loss of our 'simpler' 2020s, when you could still find a decent avocado on toast for under $20 and people still remembered how to have conversations without consulting an AI friend. THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS — thanks for the reminder Ali.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Marnus Labuschagne facing fresh pressure after unlikely Cameron Green development
Cameron Green is making a late push to play for Australia in the Test Championship Final with Marnus Labuschagne and Beau Webster facing pressure to hold their position in the XI. Green missed the 3-1 India series victory after going down injured with a troublesome back problem ahead of the summer. The allrounder has struggled with his back throughout his young career and underwent surgery on his lower spine. Green was expected to miss six months of action and rest up so he could prepare for the Ashes this November. The 25-year-old did make an appearance at the Allan Border on Monday and picked up the Community Impact Award. And in a surprise bid, Green is looking to play County Cricket in England to build match fitness so he can put himself in the frame to play the ICC Test Championship Final in June. This is big news for the Australians with Green living up to the hype around his talent before his injury. Green averaged more than 50 last summer having moved up to the No.4 position in place of Steve Smith. Unfortunately, Green's push to return for the final against South Africa spells trouble for Labuschagne and Webster. Labuschagne is facing pressure to remain in the starting XI after a lean run of form. The No.3 batter averaged 25.8 at home against India and once again flopped in the first innings against Sri Lanka. While there were question marks on whether the 30-year-old would play the second Test in Galle, Labuscahgne appears a certainty to line-up. Although fans are questioning whether Green's return could spell the end of Labuschagne with selectors already axing Mitchell Marsh this summer for a poor run of form. While Labuschagne is currently under the most pressure to score runs, the other player who could face the brutal call is recent. additions Webster. The pressure is building on Marnus Labuschagne with the selectors not happy with his Green closing in, his spot is now under threat, can be replaced any time. — Cricket Addictor (@AddictorCricket) February 4, 2025 Aussie fans were thrilled for Webster after his Test debut at the SCG against India with the allrounder producing a vital 57 in the first innings. He then followed this up with a 37 not out in the second innings to secure a brilliant debut for Australia. Webster scored 23 runs in the first innings against Sri Lanka and appeared a certainty to line-up for Australia against South Africa in June. Although Green's emergence could place his position in some doubt. Webster's ability to bowl overs and bat in the middle order should be deemed vital for the Aussie line-up. The towering allrounder replaced Marsh in the middle order and offers flexibility. And Green is unlikely to come back and bowl. Webster should be considered a lock for the June Test, but if Australia feel they don't need a fifth bowling option in English conditions, Webster could make way for Green. Although this would be a brutal blow for the 31-year-old allrounder who only just made his mark in the team. Cameron Green is back on the field as he continues his recovery from a serious back injury. #CameronGreen #CricketAustralia #CricketTwitter — InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) January 8, 2025 The pressure is building on Marnus Labuschagne with the selectors not happy with his Green closing in, his spot is now under threat, can be replaced any time. — Cricket Addictor (@AddictorCricket) February 4, 2025 Ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, chief selector George Bailey suggested he was ready for Green to return as a specialist batter ahead of the South Africa showdown. 'Very hopeful that he'll be available as a batsman for the World Test Championship final,' he said. Green was dropped for Marsh during the 2023 Ashes series having struggled to find form at No.6. However, he returned to the side back in Australia having taken Smith's position at No.4 in the order after David Warner's retirement. His latest setback was a blow to his momentum, but many feel the 25-year-old will slot right back in to the starting side. Green last played for Australia in an ODI against England on September 24.
