Australia was a serious force to reckon with in world cricket for over a decade starting from 1998-99. The Baggy Greens have won the ICC Cricket World five times, most recently in the previous edition of the prestigious tournament, back in 2005. However, most of their success in the coveted competition has come in the period between 1999 and 2007, when they had won three successive World Cups- a record which still stands.
The Kangaroos had defeated three Asian cricketing giants, namely, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka in 1999, 2003 and 2007 respectively to clinch the incredibly prepossessing trophy. Having said that, the 2003 World Cup winning Australian cricket team was, undoubtedly, the best of the lot. More so, because most the cricketers in the roster were in their absolute prime.
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There was a sense of pride, a sense of passion in the 2003 World Cup winning Australian roster combined with an aura of superiority. The Australians, at that point of time, didn't only go on to win matches after matches but they used to crush almost each and every cricket side that would face them.
Back in the spring of 2003, the 'Men in Yellow’ went on to win all their 11 fixtures in the ICC Cricket World Cup to stamp their authority on the world of cricket, yet again. After demolishing Sri Lanka by 48 runs in the semi-final, Australia went on to crush the Sourav Ganguly-led Team India by 125 runs in the final match of the tournament.
Thirteen long years have gone by since 2003 with almost all the erstwhile Baggy Green cricketers retiring from competitive cricket. Here is a list of the 2003 ICC World Cup winning Australian team and what are they up to these days...
1) Adam Gilchrist
The 44-year-old former Australia international, Adam Gilchrist had a terrific ICC World Cup back in 2003. The Aussie wicketkeeper-cum-batsman had racked up 408 runs in the coveted tournament at a decent average of 40.80. Gilchrist was the fourth highest run-getter in the tournament and the second highest run-scorer for Australia. He had also scored a 48-ball 57 against India in the final.
In 2015, in an effort to strengthen education ties with India, the Australian Minister for Education and Training, Christopher Pyne had named Adam Gilchrist as Australia's education ambassador to India. Gilchrist was visibly buoyed to step into his new role. “I am honoured to have been chosen to perform this important role in helping strengthen the education ties between our two countries,” he had said after his appointment.
2) Mathew Hayden
Matthew Hayden along with Adam Gilchrist was one of the most feared opening batsman duo in the 2003 edition of the ICC World Cup. Hayden or 'Haydos’ as he is more famously known in the cricket circuit had scored 328 runs over the course of the coveted competition. He was the third highest run-scorer for Australia in the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
Matthew Hayden has a tie-up with Star Sports as he is currently serving as a commentator for the prestigious television channel. Most recently, Hayden was heard commentating in India's tour of Australia in 2015-16 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 that was recently held in India.
3) Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is another cricketer who was in his absolute prime throughout the course of the 2003 ICC World Cup. Ponting wasn't only the leading run-scorer for Australia but after having piled up 415 runs to his name at a phenomenal average of 51.87, he had truly led the Australians from the front in that particular edition of the World Cup.
The 41-year-old, who had joined the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League after being released from the Kolkata Knight Riders back in 2013, is now serving as the head coach of the Mumbai-based franchise since 2014.
4) Damien Martyn
With a batting average of 64.60, Damien Martyn had a sensational ICC World Cup in 2003. Besides being a superb fielder, Damien Martyn had racked up 323 runs for Australia in the 2003 edition of the most prestigious tournament in the world of cricket. He ended as being the 10th highest run-getter in that particular competition.
The 44-year-old had decided to test his entrepreneurial skills since his retirement. As per his Twitter bio, Damien Martyn is one of the co-founders and directors of Criczilla, which claims to be ‘the world's first true Cricket Social Network.’
5) Darren Lehmann
Aged 33 years and 28 days, Darren Lehmann was the oldest member of the 2003 World Cup winning Australian squad. One of the most effective middle order batsmen in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Lehmann was like a pillar in the erstwhile Australian batting up, always playing the sheath anchor's role.
The 46-year-old was appointed as the head coach of the Australian national cricket team back in 2013. After having replaced Mickey Arthur, Darren Lehmann had won the 2015 ICC World Cup with Australia as the head coach of the Baggy Greens.
6) Michael Bevan
Termed as one of the best finishers in the history of world cricket, Michael Bevan had a memorable ICC World Cup back in 2003. Bevan wasn't only a great finisher with the bat but his chinaman bowling had proved to be very handy for the 'Men in Yellow’ time and again. Moreover, the 46-year-old was also one of the better fielders in world cricket at that point of time.
Since retiring from international cricket in 2004, Michael Bevan had gone on to coach a number of sides including Odisha in the Indian domestic circuit and Chennai Super Kings & Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League. Most recently in 2016, he had made a low-key comeback for Eastern Suburbs in Sydney grade cricket.
7) Andrew Symonds
One of the most controversial figures in world cricket, Andrew Symonds ended up being the ninth highest run-getter in the 2003 ICC World Cup. Symonds had racked up 326 runs for the defending champions at a ridiculous average of 163.00.
The 40-year-old who was born in Birmingham, United Kingdom was appointed as the coach of the Queensland U-19 side back in 2015. Symonds’ current status is, however, unknown as it seems that he has completely wrapped himself away from all the limelight.
8) Brad Hogg
The 45-year-old left arm chinaman, Brad Hogg made his ODI debut for Australia against Zimbabwe in the summer of 1996. Since then, he had gone on to feature in 123 One Day International matches for the Kangaroos over a span of 12 years picking up 156 wickets in the process. Hogg was an important member of the 2003 ICC World Cup winning Australian squad.
Although retired from international cricket back in 2008, Hogg still plays T20 cricket for a number cricket teams including Perth Scorchers (KFC Big Bash), Kolkata Knight Riders (Vivo IPL), Sylhet Royals (BPL), Wayamba United (SLPL) and Cape Cobras (Ram Slam T20 Challenge).
9) Andy Bichel
Andy Bichel was one of the most effective cricketers in the 2003 edition of the ICC World Cup. Not only one of the economical bowlers in the tournament, Bichel was also known for the big shots that he would hit at the back end of the Australian innings. Bichel finished the tournament with not only 16 wickets to his name but also a brilliant economy rate of 3.45.
Since his retirement from international cricket on 1 February 2004, Andy Bichel went on to serve the Chennai-based Indian Premier League franchise, the Chennai Super Kings from 2010 until the last season.
10) Brett Lee
The Australian speedster, Brett Lee was one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket during his heydays. The 39-year-old finished the 2003 ICC World Cup as the second highest wicket-taker ahead of his fellow Aussie bowling partner, Glenn McGrath. Lee had picked up 22 wickets at an average of 17.90 to steer the Kangaroos to yet another World Championship.
Brett Lee had played his last ODI for Australia against England, back in 2012. He had recently acted in a film named ‘UnIndian’ which had been directed by Anupam Sharma. The film which has a rating of 7.2 out of 10 in IMDb is set to be screened at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.
11) Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath- the name itself doesn't need any introduction whatsoever. The 43-year-old former Australia international has tallied a total of 944 international wickets to his name throughout his entire career which had spanned for well over a decade. McGrath was the third highest wicket-taker in the 2003 ICC World Cup having picked up 21 wickets at an average of 14.76.
Since his retirement from international cricket in 2007, the former Australian fast bowler has been heavily involved with his own charitable organisation, McGrath Foundation which raises money to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia. The McGrath Foundation claims to have helped support more than 33,000 Australian families in their fight against cancer.
12) Nathan Bracken
Although a part of the 2003 World Cup winning Australian squad, Nathan Bracken wasn't quite in the thick of the actions in that particular edition of the World Cup as he was in the subsequent one. The 38-year-old had made his One Day International debut for the 'Men in Yellow’ in 2001. However, Nathan Bracken's cricketing career was cut short due to an unfortunate knee injury.
After retiring from international cricket in 2009, Nathan Bracken had filed $2.5 million lawsuit against Cricket Australia (CA) claiming that the Australian cricket board had failed to pay him money that he had owed after a right knee injury had ended his cricketing career.
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