Cricket - All time Australian team

Just saw this:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/w...338623244.html

Waugh leads one-day wonders

Trevor Marshallsea
February 28, 2007

HE might have an inferior win-loss record, but Steve Waugh last night pipped Ricky Ponting for the honorary title of captain of Australia's greatest one-day international team.

Named at a function to farewell Australia's World Cup side, the all-time Australian 12 contained few surprises. The presence of five current players - Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath - reflected not only the greater number of one-dayers played in the modern era compared to the past, but also Australia's until-recently breathtaking form.

The great Greg Chappell only gained a place as 12th man, and there was no room for Allan Border, David Boon, Craig McDermott or Simon O'Donnell, who all helped Australia to its first World Cup title in 1987. The only two members of that side to make the cut were Dean Jones and Waugh, who was also a slightly controversial choice as captain.

Waugh, whose appearances in 325 one-dayers remain an Australian record, led Australia in 106 matches for 67 victories - a win rate of 63 per cent. Ponting, named vice-captain last night, has a win rate of 76 per cent, with 105 successes from 138 matches.

Both leaders boast a World Cup to their credit. Perhaps some judges felt the 1999 triumph, when Waugh helped lift Australia to victory after a shabby start to the tournament, was more meritorious than the undefeated romp through the 2003 edition by a Ponting-led side at the height of its game.

Gilchrist received the most votes from 163 voters with 110, one more than Shane Warne and McGrath. Ponting received 107 votes ahead of Mark Waugh on 101, with Steve Waugh's election as captain coming despite his relatively low tally of 72 votes.

Steve Waugh said being named in the XII was "fantastic". "I feel privileged to be a part of this," he said. "A lot of guys have played one-day cricket for Australia so it's great to just get in the side."

Ponting said it was "a great thrill" to be named No.3 batsman in the honorary team.

The 163 men who have played ODIs for Australia were the "selectors", and were honoured at last night's function at Luna Park.

Not surprisingly, the top three spots were taken by Australia's top three ODI run-scorers, with Gilchrist and Mark Waugh named as openers, positions they filled in the 1999 World Cup. Ponting, this country's top run-scorer, was named in his usual No.3 spot.

The No.4 spot went to folk hero Jones, Australia's seventh-highest run-scorer, who averaged a strong 44 from 164 matches. Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan - fourth and fifth on the Australian run-scorers list - were named in their customary batting positions of five and six.

Symonds was a clear-cut choice as the squad's only genuine all-rounder.

Warne, Australia's second-highest ODI wicket-taker, was an automatic selection despite his retirement from that form of the game in 2003. So was the only man above him on the wicket-taking list, McGrath, who heads to the World Cup with 354 wickets at just 22.59 apiece. Third-placed Lee, who has 267 victims from 150 matches, gained selection despite competition from the likes of McDermott, who remains fourth on the Australian list with 203 wickets from 138 matches.

Dennis Lillee was also regarded by many as an automatic choice, despite having played only 63 ODIs for Australia.

Chappell could not be squeezed in despite a superior average - 40.18 - to the Waughs and Gilchrist, who all boast better strike rates.

The function also honoured the 20th anniversary of Australia's 1987 World Cup win.


ALL-TIME AUSTRALIAN TEAM

Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Dean Jones, Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath, Greg Chappell (12th man).

A few notable ommissions, namely Allen Border, which I thought would be an obvious choice.
Also controversial was the choice of Steve Waugh as captain.

So, what are your thoughts? What would you change if you could pick an all time Aussie team??