One of the most elegant strokeplayers in modern-day cricket, Mark Waugh won world acclaim for his batting in the 1996 World Cup when he scored three centuries for Australia. He burst upon the Test stage at the Adelaide Oval in 1990-91 (ironically replacing twin brother Steve), scoring a debut hundred against England. Waugh has a reputation for being one of the most delightful batsmen to watch when in flight, effortlessly dispatching the world's best bowlers to all parts of the ground. Supplementing his batsmanship is the ability to take key wickets. Beginning his career as an aggressive medium pacer, he is now an able off-spinner. He is an outstanding fielder at slip or gully. Mark has figured in many high-scoring partnerships for Australia with brother Steve, but their most remarkable innings together came for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield - a world-record fifth wicket stand of 464 against Western Australia when both made double hundreds. Mark was a heavy scorer for Essex early in his career. Nickname "Junior" (being the twin born second), or in the 1980's the then-topical "Afghanistan" (as in "Afghanistan, the forgotten war").

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