Merv Hughes and Mark Waugh were handy cricketers but did they really hold a candle to Mark's twin brother, the former Australian skipper Steve Waugh?
Steve's former vice-captain Shane Warne has re-opened the debate over Waugh's status in the game with a new book to be launched in London tomorrow titled "Shane Warne's Century".
The book is an extended version of the former Test world record-holder's list of 50 best players which appeared in London newspaper The Times last year.
And again the former Test leg-spinner has ranked Steve Waugh at No.26. Warne has preferred his fellow Victorian Hughes (18th) and another of Warne's good buddies Mark Waugh (ninth).
Warne's first Test captain Allan Border is his highest-ranked Australian at No.4 behind West Indians Curtly Ambrose and Brian Lara and Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is No.1.
Warne's long-time bowling partner Glenn McGrath is ranked fifth.
The five Australians in Warne's top 10 players also include wicketkeeper Ian Healy (10th) and current skipper Ricky Ponting (eighth).
The puzzling decision last year to rank 27-Test veteran Darren Lehmann at No.25 -- one spot above Steve Waugh -- has been revised with Lehmann demoted to 32nd.
Warne has done his best to fend off criticism over his treatment of Waugh.
"When I ranked Steve Waugh somewhere in the 20s for my list in The Times, it caused a bit of a stir in Australia, though Waugh himself was fine," Warne wrote in The Times.
"People tried to suggest there was a problem between us when in actual fact we are friends. They also accused me of jealousy because he succeeded Mark Taylor as captain and I was appointed vice-captain.
"He was a tough, uncompromising player whose captaincy was all about leading by example. We had incredible success under his leadership."
But Warne, a gambler and card-player, disagreed with Waugh on tactics.
"Waugh took a more conservative approach, and he wasn't a big risk taker. You could see that in the way he batted," Warne said.
"Tugga was a wonderful cricketer, who I think got the best out of himself, and that's all anyone can ask.
"His position in Australian cricketing history is assured ..."
Warne's list from among cricketers whom he had played with or against includes the fiery pairing of South African captain Graeme Smith (44) and ex-Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga (93).
Smith was friendly to Warne during their spell in Jaipur this year as Indian Premier League team-mates.
"We had a laugh and a joke about the things we had said in the past," Warne said.
"I know he has a few regrets, but, all credit to him, he sees the funny side."
Warne said he had included Ranatunga "through gritted teeth".
"When I picked my top 50 for The Times, there were a few accusations that I'd gone for my mates instead of being objective," he said.
"Well, I hope this choice ends that criticism once and for all, because everybody knows that I don't like Ranatunga."
Warne also paid tribute to feisty Indian batsman Sourav Ganguly (96th).
"But he did have the knack of rubbing up opponents (and even teammates when he went to Lancashire) the wrong way without seeming to try very hard," Warne said.
