SYDNEY, Oct 31 AAP - A keen student of cricket's history books, Steve Waugh has watched his Australian side force them to be rewritten time and again during his reign as captain.

And a poll published today revealed the current squad was considered the best Australian side ever, which is no mean statement considering the feats of Sir Donald Bradman's Invincibles.

The Hawker Britton survey concluded that 52 per cent of Australia's cricket supporters believed Waugh's men are the greatest, with only 34 per cent voting otherwise.

Since Waugh assumed the Test captaincy from Mark Taylor in 1999, Australia has sat untouchable atop the world rankings and became the inaugural ICC World Test Champions.

Against India in February 2001, Australia set a world record for a 16th consecutive Test victory, a run which stretched 16 months and included a memorable 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies.

In one-day cricket, Waugh lifted the 1999 World Cup after victory over Pakistan at Lord's.

While the limited overs game was not around in Bradman's time, those lucky enough to have witnessed both sides in action - those aged 65 or more - voted Waugh's side as the best.

In 1948, Bradman led an Australia side including Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller and Neil Harvey on an unbeaten tour of England, winning the series 4-0.

But of the age group who would be expected to favour the Invincibles, 59 per cent backed Waugh's XI as the best they had ever seen.

In a week where he has faced questions on when he might retire, following the retirement of brother Mark, Steve Waugh has the backing of 81 per cent of supporters to remain as skipper.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.