 | « Back to article | Print this article |
RICKY PONTING (captain)
Right-hand batsman. Born: December 19 1974. 88 Tests, 6,950 runs, average 56.50, 22 100s, high score 257.
Already one of the greats and one of the most respected men in international cricket. Made his Test debut nearly a decade ago at age 20 and has hardly put a foot wrong since. A stylish, free-flowing batsman and sharp slips fieldsman, succeeded Steve Waugh as Test skipper in early 2004.
ADAM GILCHRIST
Wicketkeeper, left-hand batsman. Born: November 14 1971. 68 Tests, 4,452 runs, av 55.64, 15 100s, high score 204*, 260 catches, 27 stumpings.
A fine wicketkeeper but devastating with the bat in hand. One of the cleanest hitters in the game, he is one of the few players who can turn around matches in a flash. Has scored 15 Test hundreds despite batting at seven and is closing in on the world record for the most sixes. Has captained Australia in six Tests including last year's historic series win in India.
MICHAEL CLARKE
Right-hand batsman, left-arm slow bowler. Born: April 2 1981. 12 Tests, 669 runs, av 41.81, 2 100s, high score 151, 8 wickets, best bowling 6-9.
One of the most exciting talents Australia has produced in decades. Tipped as a future Test captain even before he had made his Test debut. Scored 151 on debut in India then made another hundred in his first Test on home soil against New Zealand. Acrobatic in the field, a handy left-arm bowler and with all the enthusiasm of youth, he capped his first year as a Test player by becoming the youngest player to win the Allan Border Medal.
JASON GILLESPIE
Right-arm fast bowler, right-hand batsman. Born: April 19 1975. 66 Tests, 940 runs, av 16.20, high score 54*, 248 wickets, av 25.72, best bowling 7-37.
Australia's first acknowledged Aboriginal Test cricketer. An outstanding opening bowler with genuine pace whose career has been stalled by a series of crippling injuries. Has shortened his run-up to avoid further injury but remains just as quick. Has also developed into a handy tailend batsman with a sound defensive technique and two half-centuries to his credit. Destroyed the English batting at Headingley in 1997 with a seven-wicket haul.
BRAD HADDIN
Wicketkeeper, right-hand batsman. Born: October 23 1977. 0 Tests.
A reliable gloveman and hard-hitting middle-order batsman, his path to the Test team has been blocked by Gilchrist. Likely to play in most of the first-class games on tour to give Gilchrist a break.
MATTHEW HAYDEN
Left-hand batsman. Born: October 29 1971. 67 Tests, 5,721 runs, av 53.46, 20 100s, high score 380.
Former world record holder for the highest individual score in Test cricket. A destructive opening batsmen who scores quickly and effortlessly, both against spin and pace. Was dropped in 1994 and again in 1997 but has made it third time lucky in the baggy green cap.
BRAD HODGE
Right-hand batsman. Born: December 29 1974. 0 Tests.
A talented batsmen who was thrust into the Australian first-class competition as a teenager but has not broken into the Test team because of the wealth of talent already there. Has 36 first-class hundreds to his name including an unbeaten triple century for Leicestershire. Unlikely to play a Test in England but could be next in line if anyone slips up.
MICHAEL KASPROWICZ
Right-arm fast-medium bowler, right-hand batsman. Born: February 10 1972. 33 Tests, 379 runs, av 10.52, high score 25, 102 wickets, av 31.11, best bowling 7-36.
An under-rated seamer who has been in and out of the Test team since making his debut in 1996 but finally seems to have secured his spot. A former Australian schoolboy rugby player, his hard work ethic and awkward angle make him a difficult customer to play.
SIMON KATICH
Left-hand batsman, left-arm slow bowler. Born: August 21 1975. 16 Tests, 1,010 runs, av 43.91, 2 100s, high score 125, 11 wickets, best bowling 6-65.
A stylish left-hand batsman who prefers to work the ball into gaps rather than bludgeon it. Made his Test debut on the last Ashes tour when Steve Waugh missed the fourth Test with injury but had to wait two more years before playing his next Test. He scored his maiden Test hundred against India in 2004 but did not cement his place in the lineup until scoring his second century in New Zealand this year.
JUSTIN LANGER
Left-hand batsman. Born: November 21 1970. 88 Tests, 6,607 runs, av 46.52, 21 100s, high score 250.
The world's leading runscorer in Tests last year. He started out as a number three but is now entrenched with Hayden as one of the greatest opening partnerships the game has seen. Dropped from the Test side, he was given a second chance on the last Ashes tour and has never looked back, piling on massive scores including a career-best 250 against the English in Melbourne last time they toured Australia.
BRETT LEE
Right-arm fast bowler, right-hand batsman. Born: November 8 1976. 37 Tests, 593 runs, av 19.76, high score 62*, 139 wickets, av 31.66, best bowling 5-47.
One of the fastest bowlers in the world with a devastating yorker and a mean streak but has struggled to maintain his accuracy. Has also been plagued by injuries and accusations of throwing but still has the ability to put fear into the opposition.
STUART MACGILL
Right-arm leg-spin bowler, right-hand batsman. Born: February 25 1971. 33 Tests, 272 runs, av 8.77, high score 43, 160 wickets, av 28.81, best bowling 7-50.
Would probably have played 100 Tests if he was born in a different era to Shane Warne. A prolific wicket-taker who turns the ball at sharp angles, he made headlines last year when he refused to tour Zimbabwe on moral grounds. Likely to play in the Test only if Australia employ a double spin attack.
DAMIEN MARTYN
Right-hand batsman. Born: October 21 1971. 56 Tests, 3,947 runs, av 51.25, 12 100s, high score 165.
Another batsman making the most of his recall to the side after several years out of the team. Made his Test debut aged 21 but lost his place within 14 months and had to wait four years before he got another chance in 1998. An attractive, wristy stroke-player, Martyn has not looked back since and is getting better with age. He scored six centuries last year.
GLENN MCGRATH
Right-arm fast-medium bowler, right-hand batsman. Born: February 9 1970. 109 Tests, 556 runs, av 7.12, high score 61, 499 wickets, av 21.22, best bowling 8-24.
The spearhead of Australia's bowling attack, McGrath is the most prolific fast bowler Australia has produced. The lanky McGrath is not the quickest bowler in the game but his unerring accuracy makes him one of the most dangerous bowlers around. There is little he has not achieved as a bowler. He has a Test hat-trick to his credit and will go into the Ashes needing just one more wicket to reach the 500 milestone.
SHAUN TAIT
Right-arm fast bowler, right-hand batsman. Born: February 22 1983. 0 Tests.
Another genuine quick who has long been earmarked as a Test player in the making but will have to bide his time. Australia's Young Player of the Year in 2004, he toured Sri Lanka last year and while he did not play a Test he left Ricky Ponting with a big impression when he struck him on the head in a net session.
SHANE WARNE
Right-arm leg-spin bowler, right-hand batsman. Born: September 13 1969. 123 Tests, 2518 runs, av 16.35, high score 99, 583 wickets, av 25.51, best bowling 8-71.
The greatest wicket-taker in history and the most recognisable cricketer in the world. Has mesmerised England's batsmen since he bowled Mike Gatting with his first ball on the 1993 Ashes tour and shows no sign of ever slowing down. Credited with reviving the dying art of leg-spin, he is also one of the most controversial players of all time and his life reads like a soap opera. Served as 12-month drug ban for diuretics in 2003 but came back better than ever in 2004, capturing 70 wickets and the world record.
