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For the next seven weeks commencing from today, Sri Lanka cricket fans will have the rare opportunity of witnessing the best team in the world in both types of the game - Test and one-day international - Australia, performing on our cricket grounds.

We take the opportunity here to warmly welcome the world champions and provide readers with a closer look at the individual players who have made Australia what they are today.

The captain STEVE WAUGH (nickname 'Tugga') remains the hardest to dismiss batsmen in world cricket today. Succeeded Mark Taylor to the Australian captaincy early this year. His fighting qualities are now world renowned. When it comes to handling pressure situations there is no one better than Waugh. He is a man who has come through the test of fire. He may not have the grace and style of his twin brother Mark, but the tough as nails Steve more than makes up for it with unflappable temperatment; the kind who would takes knocks on his body. He is someone who thrives in the heat of the battle, a batsman who plays the game the hard way and puts his best foot forward through times of adversity.

These qualities were in existence during Australia's successful World Cup challenge in England in June this year. Waugh catapulted Australia from the edge of the abyss to the semi-finals with a career best knock of 120 not out against South Africa in their final Super Six match at Headingley. The best way to describe that knock is to quote 'Wisden Cricket Monthly': ``From the minute he strode in (at 48 for 3), and adjusted his box in the general direction of the fielders, the atmosphere changed. This was war. He twirled his bat and the ball spat off it like an Ivanisevic serve.''

In the nerve-tingling semi-final tie against South Africa at Edgbaston, Waugh kept his nerve by bringing the fielders inside the circle to big-hitting Lance Klusener and the gamble paid off. Although the final against Pakistan at Lord's proved an anti-climax, Waugh said: ``It was the best win of my career'', when Australia became only the second team in history to win the World Cup twice. Waugh's contribution with the bat was 398 runs, the second highest in the competition.

To Waugh, a Test is very much a mental battle. He loves to wear the opposition down and pile on the agony. He is rutlhess and nothing is ever given away by him on the cricket field. His double century against West Indies at Kingston four years ago saw Australia bring to an end 22 years of West Indies dominance in world cricket. Before the series started Waugh had decided to counter the short-pitched bowling of Ambrose, Walsh and Co. by playing the lifters down on the off-side, instead of the on-side where fielders were lurking. He made 429 runs in the four Tests averaging 107.25. Waugh who seldom bowls these days, has his best bowling in one-day internationals against Sri Lanka - 4 for 73 at Sydney in 1987-88. Played two seasons for English county Somerset and holds Australia's all-wicket partnership record of 464 (unbroken) for the fifth wicket with Mark Waugh for NSW v WA (Perth) 1990-91.

They bragged at him as the 'fat man', but SHANE WARNE ('Warnie') had the last laugh at all his critics when he bagged the 'Man of the Match' awards in both the semi-finals and final of the World Cup - a similar feat performed by Aravinda de Silva when Sri Lanka won the World Cup three years ago. 'Cometh the hour, cometh the fat man' and Warne pumped up the volume by grabbing four South African wickets for 29 runs in the semi-finals and a further four for 33 against Pakistan in the final. The ball that bowled Herschelle Gibbs was up there with Warne's most miraculous moments, pitching outside leg and hitting the top of off. With 20 wickets in the World Cup (a record shared with New Zealand fast bowler Geoff Allott), Warne was back at his best. He has said that he is ready to regain his place in the Test team, ahead of spin rival Stuart MacGill, who has more or less taken over Warne's position in the longer game.

Just as former Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee had ovecome a crippling back injury to continue his great career, Warne had overcome two career-threatening operations - the first on his spinning finger, the second and more serious on his bowling shoulder. Like Lillee, Warne is an aggressive wicket-taking bowler. He tries hard to assert his dominance over opponents and resorts to theatrics. He tries to dominate on the field as well to ensure that the attention of spectators, television viewers and opponents falls on him rather than on his opponents.

Before the emergence of Warne, leg-spinners had become almost extinct. But in the early nineties Warne has almost single-handedly raised the stock of leg-spin bowling in the world and thanks to him every nation seeking world dominance wants to have one. Warne will have fond memories of Sri Lanka because it was here at the SSC grounds that he bowled a mach-winning spell that ensured him a permanent place in the Australian side for years to come taking three cheap wickets to turn a losing match Australia's way. In the next seven years, Warne has gone on to take more than 300 wickets in Tests and over 200 in the one-day game. Performed a hat-trick against England in Test at Melbourne, 1994-95. Captained Australia for the first time in one-day cricket in 1997-98.

His extraordinary rate of scoring and his consistency during the past five years has made MICHAEL BEVAN ('Bev') perhaps the most effective middle-order batsman currently playing one-day international cricket. Made his debut against Sri Lanka (Sharjah) 1993-94, and enjoys a batting average of over 60. But like Dean Jones, Bevan has become a one-day specialist. His well-paced innings and challenging running between the wickets are at the core of Australia's success. His critics discuss footwork flaws and a wavering mental capacity that seems to have contributed to a mediocre Test career. There's no place for him at the highest level because of a weakness against short-pitched fast bowling. He first sprang into prominence when he became the first player to hit five centuries in Sheffield Shield cricket in 1990-91. Scored 82 on his Test debut against Pakistan at Karachi in 1994-95 and took a match bag of 10 for 113 against West Indies baffling them with a rich mix of chinamen and googlies in 1996-97. Played two seasons of county cricket for Yorkshire and one with Sussex.

Called ``another Terry Alderman'' by former Australian captain Allan Border, ADAM DALE ('Chippin') has been a regular in Australia's one-day side for some time now. In the Carlton and United series early this year, he bowled 94 overs for 313 runs (at 3.32) against England and Sri Lanka, making him easily the most economical of all the bowlers on show in the competition. Has emerged as a potent force wth the new ball, his accuracy and skill making him a distinct threat in helpful conditions as well as tying down good batsmen in the crucial first 15 overs. Like Alderman bowls from stump to stump and in Australia 'A's tour to Scotland and Ireland last year, nine of his scalps were lbw, seven were bowled and six caught behind, which prompted Border to compare him to the former Austrlian fast bowler. A late developer, Dale did not make his first-class debut for Queensland until he was 28. In his only Test against India at Bangalore in 1997-98 he found himself on a hat-trick having removed the great Sachin Tendulkar and Harvinder Singh with consecutive deliveries.

A spate of injuries has resulted in DAMIEN FLEMING ('Flemo') appearing in only 10 Tests since taking a hat-trick on his debut against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 1994-95. It was not until last year when he took 16 wickets in four Tests against England that he proved he had recovered from a shoulder injury. His ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a dangerous customer and in English conditions his control of seam movement added to his armoury. Played an important role as Glenn McGrath's new ball partner in Australia's World Cup winning campaign in June this year. A more than useful late-order hitter, has a highest Test score of 71 not out v England (Brisbane) 1998-99. Requires four wickets to complete 100 wickets in one-day internationals.

Called ``another Terry Alderman'' by former Australian captain Allan Border, ADAM DALE ('Chippin') has been a regular in Australia's one-day side for some time now. In the Carlton and United series early this year, he bowled 94 overs for 313 runs (at 3.32) against England and Sri Lanka, making him easily the most economical of all the bowlers on show in the competition. Has emerged as a potent force wth the new ball, his accuracy and skill making him a distinct threat in helpful conditions as well as tying down good batsmen in the crucial first 15 overs. Like Alderman bowls from stump to stump and in Australia 'A's tour to Scotland and Ireland last year, nine of his scalps were lbw, seven were bowled and six caught behind, which prompted Border to compare him to the former Austrlian fast bowler. A late developer, Dale did not make his first-class debut for Queensland until he was 28. In his only Test against India at Bangalore in 1997-98 he found himself on a hat-trick having removed the great Sachin Tendulkar and Harvinder Singh with consecutive deliveries.

A spate of injuries has resulted in DAMIEN FLEMING ('Flemo') appearing in only 10 Tests since taking a hat-trick on his debut against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 1994-95. It was not until last year when he took 16 wickets in four Tests against England that he proved he had recovered from a shoulder injury. His ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a dangerous customer and in English conditions his control of seam movement added to his armoury. Played an important role as Glenn McGrath's new ball partner in Australia's World Cup winning campaign in June this year. A more than useful late-order hitter, has a highest Test score of 71 not out v England (Brisbane) 1998-99. Requires four wickets to complete 100 wickets in one-day internationals.

A left-hand middle-order batsman and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist ('Gilly') shot into fame during the Carlton and United one-day series against England and Sri Lanka early this year playing in the manner which Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya did during the 1996 World Cup. He proved a highly effective batsman at the top of Australia's one-day batting order as demonstrated by his 525 runs from 12 innings at 43.75. But perhaps most importantly was the staggering strike rate of 98.13 runs per 100 balls faced that had everyone comparing him to Jayasuriya. His 129-ball knock of 154 against Sri Lanka at Melbourne is the highest one-day international score by an Australian and comprised 14 fours and four sixes. Also scored 131 against Sri Lanka at Sydney. Had a very moderate World Cup in England this year being unable to produce the kind of innings which he is capable of because of the early movement of the ball. However, he played his best innings in the final against Pakistan at Lord's scoring a rapid fifty off 33 balls. Made Sheffield Shield debut with New South Wales, but soon moved to Western Australia and in the 1995-96 season claimed a record 54 dismissals besides hitting 189 not out in the Shield final. Although expected to be Ian Healy's heir apparent has yet to break into the Test circuit. In the tradition of Wally Grout and Barry Jarman who were both long-term understudies, Gilchrist is expected to be a fully matured tourist by the time he takes over from Healy in a Test match.

Another victim of fast-bowling injuries who has been carefully guided back to high-velocity performance is JASON GILLESPIE ('Dizzy'). His career has mainly been on hold in the last 12 months due to stress fractures in his back and ankle problems triggered by modifications to his action. Following his 7 for 37 at Headingley against England when he produced the swiftest spell of the 1997 Ashes tour - bowling downhill on a bouncy Leeds pitch - his career has stagnated through injuries. A fully fit Gillespie could be the scourge of the tour. Made his one-day debut against Sri Lanka in the Singer World Series in 1996-97.

A polished, highly skilled left-hander who had to wait 11 seasons, 122 games and more than 10,000 runs for an opportunity at Test level, DARREN LEHMANN ('Boof') has only recently begun to shake off the memory of being dubbed 'the new Bradman' when it was obvious that he had a special talent. Has established himself as a bold, sometimes inventive striker of the ball with an eye-catching uncomplicated style. In the past two years has proved a huge hit as Yorkshire's overseas player. Was first named in the Australian Test squad when 19, but he did not actually make his Test debut until 1997 when he scored 52 v India (Bangalore). Has become a regular in the one-day team. He is a valuable bat-pad catch specialist and can also frustrate batsmen with accurate left-arm deliveries. Played an important role in Australia's World Cup win in England this year with some consistent batting in the middle-order. Became youngest player to score 1000 runs in an Australian season when at the age of 19 made 1142 runs (avg. 57.10) in 1993-94. Made limited over international debut against Sri Lanka in Singer World Series in 1996-97.

There is no mean a fast bowler in world cricket today than GLENN McGRATH ('Pigeon', & 'The Enforcer'), a world class performer, unrelenting who gets better and better. He is the modern day successor of a line stretching back through Dennis Lillee and Ray Lindwall to the legendary Fred 'Demon' Spofforth. Rated as Australia's premier and one of world cricket's most formidable strike bowlers. After struggling in the initial matches spearheaded Australia to their World Cup triumph in England this year with perfect deliveries that removed West Indies captain Brian Lara and Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar cheaply in Australia's advance to the final. McGrath's strike rate has been phenomenal since the victorious 1995 West Indies tour, combining aggression with subtle pace changes and reverse swing. In top form he'll be Australia's main striking weapon especially with his ability to bounce and seam the new ball back at high speed.

Broke into the New South Wales team in 1992-93 and within a year was playing Test cricket and in early 1995 sprang to worldwide recognition by spearheading Australia's great triumph in the West Indies. His 8 for 38 against England in 1997 are the best figures by an Australian at Lord's. Took his 100th wicket in his 23rd Test (equalling Shane Warne and bettering Lillee by one) and his 200th in his 45th Test. Tall and lean he preferred basketball to cricket until he was 16. Being a country boy developed the mental and physical hardness to become a world class fast bowler.

Another talented cricketer who could still make a reputation in Test cricket is DAMIEN MARTYN ('Marto'). An exciting and explosive batsman who has matured into a better shot selector, he seems to lack the grittiness that can weather quality bowling, especially spin. His best chance of future honours seems to rest with the one-day game where he was included as one of Australia's 15 players in their successful World Cup campaign in England this year. Enjoyed his first Australian reappearance for four years in 1997-98 especially at one-day level with Western Australia where his strike rate was over 100. This performance saw him being picked in Australia's one-day squads since.

His vast experience in English conditions especially playing county cricket for Warwickshire in 1990 and Worcestershire since 1991 made TOM MOODY ('Moods'& 'Long Tom') an important member of Australia's successful World Cup plans in England this year. He regained a regular Austalian one-day berth figuring more as a specialist bowler than as an all-rounder. He can be sharp and deceptive and in the field he is by far the longest thrower. His 6ft 6in height enables him to punch the ball powerfully to all parts of the field and he is renowned to have played some astonishing innings especially in the county circuit. Scored 100 in 26 minutes for Warwickshire v Glamorgan (Swansea) 1990 and in 1998, shared a 438-run third wicket partnership in 112 overs with Graeme Hick for Worcestershire v Hampshire (Southampton), an English county championship record. His best contribution in the World Cup was an unbeaten 56 of 29 balls.

Moody is one of Sheffield Shield cricket's most-decorated players. Broke Mike Veletta's Western Australia state appearances record of 114 games in 1997-98 season. He also extended his record state run mark beyond 8000 and regained a regular international limited-overs place. His ability as a stroke-making batsman is underlined by the 272 he made for Western Australia against Tasmania in 1994-95. A full time cricketer, he has had eight county seasons in England. He has played over 50 one-day internationals but only eight Tests. His highest Test score is 106 against Sri Lanka (Brisbane) 1989-90. Captain of Worcestershire from 1995 and Western Australia from 1995-96. Led state to Shield honours in 1997-98 after two previous misses.

Exhilarating to watch when set RICKY PONTING ('Punter'), a gifted young batsman was earmarked for greatness from a very young age. Scored 96 on his Test debut against Sri Lanka (Perth) in 1995-96. But after scoring 88 against West Indies in 1996-97 he lost form and was dropped. Recalled for the Ashes series he responded with 127 in the fourth Test at Headingley and finished with a series average of 48. On true pitches he is an tremendous entertainer, belting pull shots and driving dangerously.

Enjoyed an extra-ordinary Australian summer in 1997-98, his five run outs from direct hits in the Carlton and United series prompting most to regard the athletic young Tasmanian as at least the equal of South Africa's Jonty Rhodes as cricket's No. 1 fieldsman. His knock of 145 v Zimbabwe (Faridabad) 1997-98 remained as the highest score by an Australian in one-day internationals until Adam Gilchrist improved it with 154 against Sri Lanka early this year. Has an impressive one-day international record. Affectionately known as 'Punter' because of his fondness for betting.