WC 2003 win hasn146;t come overnight

With the sort of inscrutable expression likely to come from a chunk of impenetrable Sydney granite, Steve Waugh did not waste words on what ...

With the sort of inscrutable expression likely to come from a chunk of impenetrable Sydney granite, Steve Waugh did not waste words on what a great side he led to win the World Cup in 1999. It was his view that he did not need to state the obvious.

No doubt Ricky Ponting, his successor, would have had similar thoughts at The Wanderers four years later. Australia retained the World Cup won at Lord8217;s through their total professional and frank assessment of where they are at this stage of the third millennium.

It takes ability and skill to retain a trophy such as the World Cup. Yet with world standards all round slipping and the gap widening between Australia and most other nations, it would not take too much to maintain the levels, if not improve them.

On paper Australia 2003 were probably a shade less imposing that the side Waugh led to win the World Cup four years earlier. Perhaps India, seen by many in Australia as the team on the rise, may offer a bigger challenge next summer.

What Australia have managed, however, is to maintain continuity with class retained and the weak links discarded. In this sense the Waugh side of 1999 was the foundation rock on which this side was based. Five of the current side were in the team which won at Lord8217;s and from the way the side has been moulded, several players will be available in 2007.

Building a professional side needs a professional approach and money, time and the ability to find quality replacements. In this sense Australia8217;s professional approach is like a checklist of talent rather than names. The ability comes from players who have the qualities to slip into a side and make an impression.

This takes time and Australia8217;s Academy of Excellence plays its part in the quest for unearthing new talent. Not all come through this hard school, yet six of the current side have been through its portals, including Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan and Brett Lee.

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There is also a pride and an ambition to be the best. For this tournament players such as Matthew Hayden have been on the fringe for several years and were only brought in when a classic player such as Mark Waugh was finally axed and a replacement needed. It is the sort of example which has created a team of winners; the hunger and the passion.

Another factor is strength of mind and how a player such as Glenn McGrath, who was being slapped around by Virender Sehwag, was able to come back and contribute. And this is the major factor in their success, an ability to contribute and help win matches; an ability to spot talent and develop it into match-winning capabilities.

Steve Waugh has been entrusted, as captain, with the role of leading the next decade of talent for the West Indies. It may be his last tour, but the need for development and growth adds to the Australian psyche, he will have achieved much and the Australian selectors have built much into this tour and that by South Africa A in April.

Waugh8217;s captaincy is seen as the most important factor in redeveloping and transforming the next generation of Australian players and this is where Australia have the edge over other countries.