Lara voted the most dangerous batsman

Brian Lara has been voted the most dangerous opposition batsman, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, by Australian cricketers. Andrew Flintoff, Australia's Ashes tormentor, was voted the most dangerous opposition bowler and Muttiah Muralitharan was rated second in that list according to a report in The Australian.

Lara polled 55% of the votes, while Tendulkar only got 25%, and Dravid 20%. While Ricky Ponting was regarded as the best batsman in Australia by his fellow cricketers, Shane Warne beat Glenn McGrath to claim the best-bowler honours. Mike Hussey, the Western Australia batsman, was the best domestic batsman ahead of Brad Hodge and Darren Lehmann. Andy Bichel was voted the best domestic bowler; Mick Lewis from Victoria was second ahead of Shaun Tait. Stuart MacGill was clearly regarded the best spinner.

South Australia's Callum Ferguson was considered the most promising batsman, his team-mate Dan Cullen the most promising spinner, Queensland's Mitchell Johnson the most promising fast bowler and another Queenslander, Chris Hartley, the best young wicketkeeper.

Rudi Koertzen, the South African umpire, was voted the best umpire by the national team and Australia's Simon Taufel was ranked second. Billy Bowden, the New Zealand umpire, was rated the worst.