As captain of the Australian Test team from 1999 to 2004, Steve Waugh turned a successful side into a dominant force that in many cricket watcher's view ranks with Sir Donald Bradman's 1948 'Invincibles' and the West Indian teams of the 1980s as one of the best teams of all time.
Waugh is also noted for having departed from the sometimes ockerish traditions of Australian cricket, encouraging players to learn about the cultures of the countries they played in, and helping raise funds for Indian children affected by leprosy.
In the 2002-03 Australian season Waugh made one of cricket's most memorable hundreds, played out in front of an adoring crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Twelve months later he ended his career on his own terms, a universally respected figure who timed his farewell just right, and left the stage to a standing ovation from every fan across the cricket world.
