Australian 2002 Test Cricket Team vs Pakistan - Where Are They Now?

Australia famously won the 2nd Test by an innings and 198 runs, keeping Pakistan’s innings totals at 59 and 53. As Australia’s current cricketing form slumps, maybe some of these players should re-join the squad…

With this year's First Test against Pakistan about to start at The Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday, Joshua Mayne takes a look at where the Class of 2002 are today.

Justin Langer

The opening batsman for all three Tests in this series, Justin Langer managed a high score of 72 in the first innings of the first test, with comparatively poor performances at the crease for the remainder of the series.

Now 46 years old, he is seen as one of Australia’s best batsmen during the noughties (00s), with an average of 45.27. His consistency made him a desirable pick for selectors.

Langer is currently the Head Coach of the Western Australian Test side and the Perth Scorchers. He also spends time in his role of a father to four children. A born and raised Perth boy, it seems that Langer is looking for a long-term future in Western Australia.

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Matthew Hayden

The 45 year old may be well known for scoring the highest Test total by an Australian (380), but he was also an important part of the Australian side for a number of years, without taking all of the limelight that comes from a high score. Hayden was characterised by his brilliant strength when hitting the ball.

On his website, he now describes himself as a man, a cook, a speaker, a cricketer, a businessman and as someone who gives back.

Matthew Hayden has also been spending some time as a guest on radio stations, well known for his outburst on Triple M’s ‘Deadset Legends’ program, where he labelled the recent Australian performance against Sri Lanka in August as “absolute horse s***”. Harsh but fair...!

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Ricky Ponting

A proudly born and raised Tasmanian, Ponting, now 41, is Australia’s second most successful run maker, sitting below Sir Donald Bradman. Ponting had a great run of form during this series against Pakistan, making a total of 342, averaging a sensational 85.5 runs per inning.

Currently, one his main focuses in life is his charity, the Ponting Foundation. Its aim is to be “dedicated to doing everything possible to help young Australians and their families beat cancer".

However, you’re probably most likely to see Ponting on your television screen, either as a commentator for the Big Bash League or, even more likely in an advert, whether it is for Swisse, Crownbet Rewards or whoever wants him as the face of their brand.

He recently left his coaching role with the Mumbai Indians, possibly opening up an opportunity to coach the Australian team.

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Mark Waugh

Described by Sir Donald Bradman as “...the most elegant and graceful cricketer of the modern era,” it’s fair to say that Mark Waugh was more than a good cricketer. He fought hard, but played so charmingly.

The 2002 series against Pakistan was not Waugh’s best, but with the opposition scoring so few runs, he didn’t have to put in a perfect performance.

Waugh is currently a selector for the Australian Test side, a job that hasn't been envied by many in the past few weeks. He is also an inspirational speaker and occasional panelist on Fox Sports.

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Steve Waugh

Waugh compensated for two ducks with a century in the 2002 Test series versus Pakistan. The twin of Mark Waugh, Steve is Australia’s most capped Test cricketer with 168 Test appearances in the baggy green.

As a captain of the Australian side, Waugh always played and led the game with emphasis on attack and effectiveness. To cap off an incredible career, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010.

He is now primarily focused on his philanthropic work, running his charity called the Steve Waugh Foundation. It provides assistance and support to youth who are suffering from rare diseases.

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Damien Martyn

Martyn was well known for his ability to play the ball with ease and his dynamic fielding traits. His duck in the third game of the Test series against Pakistan was a low light, but overall, his performance was satisfactory.

Currently, much of Martyn’s activity since retirement hasn’t been openly publicised. He is married to Lucy-Pascale, and does occasional interviews for print, radio and TV media outlets.

Possibly the most interesting event post-retirement was the fact that Martyn was one of the VERY few people followed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in 2015. Why? We’ll probably never know…  Maybe Trump was a fan of Martyn’s convincing reverse sweep.

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Adam Gilchrist

A fan favourite of the Australian cricket team, Gilchrist, now 45, was a wicketkeeper and thrilling batsmen during his career. His performance against Pakistan in 2002 was far from outstanding, but he was always a secure pair of hands behind the stumps, while the bowlers did the majority of the damage.

Nowadays, his main role is being a commentator for Channel 10’s Big Bash League coverage, providing analysis along with a personable attitude on the microphone.

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Shane Warne

You’ve been waiting for this bloke, haven’t you? On and off the field, Shane Warne writes the headlines. Warne is undoubtedly the king of leg spin, producing deliveries in his career that no-one believed possible.

It’s fair to say that right now, Shane Warne isn’t always known for all the best of reasons. There have been numerous allegations of him cheating, smoking and dancing in his grundies with models. Poker is also one of his past-times, having played in the World Series of Poker on seven occasions.

Going back to cricket, Warne is currently a commentator for Channel 9, providing opinions, breakdown analysis and some signature carefree ‘Warnie’ attitude - which also earned him a fine last month for driving without a seatbelt in a video on YouTube!

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Brett Lee

‘Binga’, as he’s affectionately known, was a bowler known for his speed and his smile. He is Australia’s fourth most successful bowler, picking up 310 wickets. Although runs weren’t plentiful in the 2002 Test series, his bowling display against Pakistan was consistent and composed, claiming five wickets. Coincidentally, his economy in this Test series was exactly the same as his overall Test career economy.

His bubbly personality has made him popular with the fans, and is probably one of the reasons Channel 9 love having him as one of their cricket presenters. Lee also has his own signature fashion range. It aims to be “stylish, comfortable and versatile with a blend of strong colour themes”.

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Jason Gillespie

Now 41 years old, the 1.95m fast bowler only played in the First Test of the series against Pakistan in 2002. After taking three wickets over two innings, Gillespie had to leave the field on Day 5 of the First Test due to injury.

He recently stepped down from his position as head coach of Yorkshire, meaning that he is possibly open to a new coaching role once the Big Bash League season is over (where he coaches the Adelaide Strikers). Gillespie also writes the occasional column for Cricket Australia.

Test Series Stats

Test Career Stats

Andy Bichel

The right arm paceman was known primarily for his bowling at the beginning of his career, but as he developed as a player, you could arguably classify him as an all-rounder. He bats low in the order, but does a fine job.

Now 41, Bichel works for the Queensland Bulls as a part of their coaching staff, spending most of his time looking closely at Queensland youth teams specifically as a pathways assistant coach.

Test Career Stats

Glenn McGrath

As the leading wicket taker among Australian fast bowlers, McGrath had a very successful career as a cricketer, now complemented by the outstanding work he is currently doing outside of the game. McGrath’s batting run totals were appalling in the 2002 Test series against Pakistan, but that’s not what he’s there to do… His specialty (being of course, bowling) was what shone in each Test.

Today, Glenn is looked up to for his work with the McGrath Foundation, a charity that he and his late wife, Jane McGrath, created in 2005. It has successfully assisted 47,000 families experiencing breast cancer by placing 110 McGrath Breast Care Nurses around Australian communities. McGrath also commentates for Channel 9.

Test Career Stats