Empire of Cricket - Australia

From Don Bradman and Richie Benaud to Steve Waugh and Shane Warne, this programme finds out how Australia defined itself through cricketing success and went on to become the best team in the world today. Australia's emergence as a proud, independent nation is mirrored in the rise of its cricket team. The country's first settlers turned the sport of the privileged English elite into a game for all. By the 1930s Australia had its first real hero - record-breaking batsman Don Bradman. The story of Australia's rise begins with Richie Benaud, the young captain who rejuvenated the post-war game with his spin bowling and flamboyant celebrations in the 1950s. Later, in the 70s, players like Ian and Greg Chappell and fast bowler Jeff Thomson played the game with a swagger in tune with the times, prompting media mogul Kerry Packer to launch his own controversial extravaganza: World Series Cricket. In the mid-80s Australia created the world's first specialist cricket academy, further fostering a ruthless will to win in players like Steve Waugh. But it was a bowler with a genius for spin bowling and a glint in his eye who gave Australia the magic that would make them the best team in the world: Shane Warne. Australia is still number one in the Empire of Cricket but the team is in transition and searching for a new generation of heroes. Includes interviews with cricketers Adam Gilchrist, Richie Benaud, Ian Chappell, Arthur Morris, Steve Waugh, Jeff Thomson, Tony Greig, Bob Simpson, Justin Langer, Shane Warne, Mike Gatting and Richie Richardson and Graham Gooch. Plus interviews with cricket writers Gideon Haigh and Greg Baum.