The Australian cricketers have regained their place of pride after a controversial summer of discontent when their image took a beating for their boorish behaviour during the series against India.
A new study has revealed that the Australian players have left behind some of their illustrious compatriots from other sports to rule the top 10 list of the most marketable sportsperson of the country.
Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland said the study showed 82 per cent of Australians thought the players were good role models for children.
Led by skipper Ricky Ponting, who took the No.1 spot for the second year running, six of the top 10 in the Sweeney Sports Report list were current or past cricketers, reports The Daily Telegraph.
Recently retired wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist came in at No.2, fast bowler Brett Lee at five, former quick Glenn McGrath six, and ex-captain Steve Waugh at nine.
Andrew Symonds cracked the top 10 for the first time this week just a day after being fined for sleeping in and missing the team bus to training in Barbados.
Symonds was tenth on the list. Ponting’s team faced a public backlash for their involvement in several controversial incidents during a heated Test and one-day series against India, yet it had done little to dent the team’s image.
