Never Satisfied - the diary of a record-breaking year by Steve Waugh (pb). Published by Harper Collins Australia. Reviewed by Lynn McConnell.

There's something to be said for having a sense of history, it tends to help people having to re-invent the wheel or find out that there is nothing new under the sun.

It also helps too when you come to lead the best cricket team in the world, with perhaps the most outstanding history of any of the great sports teams of the world.

That is the role Steve Waugh has stepped into since taking over the leadership reins from Mark Taylor, and the captaincy cap fits well with Waugh.

He has also become the world's leading cricket diarist and has recently released his seventh volume looking back at Australia's year past.

Of interest to New Zealanders on this occasion is his view of the tour to New Zealand and the role this country played in the move towards Australia's unbeaten run in Test matches, Shane Warne's gaining the most Test wickets for Australia and the continued ability of the Australian cricket production line to come up trumps with quality players.

What Waugh offers in these diaries is an insight to what goes on behind the scenes in the cricket environment, something touched on by New Zealand's Gavin Larsen and his diary on the 1999 World Cup.

The difference, where Waugh is concerned, is that he is dealing with a team that is at the forefront of the world game with significantly different issues surrounding it than an injury-plagued and comparatively poorly resourced New Zealand side.

Tradition plays a big part in Waugh's motivation, both for himself and his team. He is a hard-headed character. That was clear before he ever achieved the captaincy of the side.

But the drive to a Test nations record of most games without defeat is not achieved easily and Waugh did well to keep his side's focus as it moved among some of the ghosts of the game.

His method is clearly outlined in this book with the reproduction of his pre-match notes and also the assessment sheets of his national coach John Buchanan. These make interesting reading.

What also adds interest to this book is the willingness with which Waugh looks at issues in the game. He is scathing in his condemnation of the International Cricket Council's handling of the Shoaib Akhtar chucking affair in Australia last summer. Umpires also don't escape the Waugh gaze.

Cricket isn't only about what is on the field, and Waugh backgrounds some of the off-field travel and entertainment that helps keep a touring side balanced.

Waugh also had time for compliments, regarding the previously vulnerable Chris Cairns' (according to the Australian briefing notes wrongly delivered to another hotel guest's room) efforts with ball and, especially, the bat during the entire one-day and Test series as Ian Botham like.

Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was also highly praised for the manner of his 12-wicket bag in the first Test at Eden Park.

But for New Zealanders looking on there are plenty of lessons to be absorbed from this book about the way the Australians approach their game, their attitude and their work ethic.

That lesson, as supplied by Waugh, is not only applicable to cricket but to all international sport.

A fine read which might just be the best yet of the Waugh diaries.

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