Steve Waugh calls himself a normal bloke. It's his biggest understatement of all.

The 38-year-old Australian Test cricket captain was recognised today for his services to the game - and his charity work for the Udayan orphanage in Calcutta - when he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

"I don't see myself as being any different to anybody else," said Waugh.

"It's only a sport and people do tend to forget that."

There's been nothing average about Waugh's ongoing career: 160 Tests for 10,265 runs at 49.83. He's scored more centuries (30) and played more Tests than any Australian, he's led his side to an unprecedented 16 consecutive Test victories, and he inspired Australia's 1999 World Cup triumph.

Waugh was one of five cricketers to be honoured.

West Indian legend Sir Garfield Sobers, who played for South Australia from 1961-64, also received an AO while former Australian players Norm O'Neill and Peter Philpott, and administrators David Richards and John Mitchell, were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

When Waugh met Sir Donald Bradman years ago, he remarked: "What struck me was how humble he was about his achievements and that he wanted to see himself as a normal person."

Waugh is no Bradman - nobody is - but his army of supporters regard him with similar sentiment. He's said before that he's "just a normal bloke". He's a shy man but a ruthless and respected competitor.

He equalled Bradman's Australian record of 29 Test centuries in January, reaching three figures from the last ball of the day against England on his beloved SCG, raising his arms in triumph as he received a standing ovation from a crowd chanting his name.

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