This is what happens when you are so much better than everyone else, the biggest challenges come from within.

With no-one from world cricket, able to lay a glove on the Australians, the Australian selectors have taken it upon themselves to challenge them.

Their non-selection of Mark Waugh followed by his subsequent retirement threaten to do more damage to the side than England could ever hope to achieve.

In their cricket to date, England have suggested that they would struggle to win a game if they were playing in the Pura Cup. A side already hopelessly mismatched, is stricken with injuries.

Australia will defeat England easily regardless of Mark Waugh.

If they were to replace him, logic dictated that they do so with a youngster. To get rid of a 37-year-old for a 32-year-old makes no sense whatsoever.

Mark Waugh was owed better. Only two players have scored more Test runs for Australia. No-one in the world has more Test catches than him.

He has been a stalwart of the side for the last 10 years, playing his last 107 Tests in succession. The Australian side is one where the aggregate sum is greater than that of the individual parts.

The side was winning well and so there was no case to drop Mark Waugh.

From his century on debut against England at the Adelaide Oval, there was nothing better in world cricket than watching him.

His innings stand the test of time.

• The 139 not out at Antigua in 1991 against the might of Ambrose, Patterson, Walsh and Marshall. [Scorecard]
• His 126 at Sabina Park in 1995 which set up the winning of the Sir Frank Worrell trophy. [Scorecard]
• His classic 116 at Crusaders, St George's Park in 1997 which gave Australia a famous two-wicket victory. [Scorecard]
• The 115 not out against South Africa at Adelaide in 1998. [Scorecard]
• The 153 not out at Chinnaswamy Stadium in India in 1998. [Scorecard]

Mark Waugh was there for his fans and sadly they can't be there for him.

He should have been allowed to announce his retirement at the end of the Ashes, thus giving Australian fans to express their gratitude to him.

Fittingly, he could have played his last Test match on his beloved SCG and bowed out like the champion he was.

© 2002 David Wiseman