November 21 Thursday 2002
Current Australian team the best: Miller

MELBOURNE: The current Australian cricket team is the best in living memory, according to one of Don Bradman's "Invincibles" team.

Keith Miller, widely regarded as Australia's greatest allrounder and a member of Bradman's all-conquering 1948 tour of England, said Steve Waugh's men deserved every accolade they received. In a rare public appearance here on Tuesday night, Miller said the current Australian side was the best he had seen and had the all-round skill and depth
to continue dominating world cricket. 

"They have to be the best side that I've seen, without doubt," Miller told a dinner. "I think they're brilliant.

"The batting is outstanding, the bowling is pretty good too and the fielding is just brilliant." Miller said Australia possessed unrivalled depth in first-class cricket. Miller, 83 next week, played a handful of Tests with Australian cricket icon Bradman, including the 4-0 drubbing of England in the 1948 Ashes series in England.

Waugh, preparing his players ahead of Thursday's second Ashes Test with England in Adelaide, said he was appreciative of Miller's comments. "It's nice to hear," said Waugh on Wednesday, calling Miller "one of the all-time great players and one we respect as a great player."