The Hindu : Sport : Probables named for World XI teams

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Tuesday, May 10, 2005

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Probables named for World XI teams

Special Correspondent

GOING GLOBAL: Irfan Pathan, with selection committee chairman Sunil Gavaskar, is one of the youngest to be chosen for the World XI teams announced by the ICC. — Photo: PTI

MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Muslim players picked in the 30 probables for the ICC World XI teams that, should they be selected in the final squad, it will not be mandatory for them to display the Johnnie Walker logo on their equipment, shirt and trousers.

On Monday, the ICC announced 30 names each for the Johnnie Walker Super Series that will pit the ICC World XI against Australia in three official One-Day Internationals at the Telstra Dome, Melbourne, on October 5, 7 and 9, and a one-off Test at Sydney from October 14 to 19.

The selection panel, consisting of Sunil Gavaskar (chairman), Clive Lloyd, Sir Richard Hadlee, Michael Atherton, Aravinda de Silva and Jonty Rhodes, picked 30 probables after a three-hour teleconference on Sunday night.

No player from Bangladesh and Zimbabwe figures in the squad, though Zimbabwe captain and wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu's name was discussed. There are seven Indians in the teams.

Interesting exercise

Gavaskar said that the exercise of choosing 30 probables was interesting and exhilarating. "We took into account the players' performances against Australia in Australia, current form, balance and the extra competitive quality of the players. The fundamental thinking will always be to pick an ideal team that's capable of beating Australia.

"Should there be outstanding players in the next few months, we might consider adding one or two to the list of probables. From hereon it's not going to be an easy job to bring the squad down to 20 in July and again to 13 (for the Test) and 14 (for the one-dayers) in August. We will name the captain and vice-captain in August,'' said Gavaskar.

The ICC's General Manager (Corporate Communications), Mr. Brendan McClements, said: "A cricketing feast awaits cricket fans all over the world. Those picked in the final squad will share $2.64 million. The ICC has granted official status for the Test and three One-Day Internationals."

Agencies add:

Gavaskar said team spirit would also be one of the criteria for choosing the final teams later as ``anyone whose selection may not be conducive to good atmosphere in the dressing room will not be chosen.''

``It's very important for the players chosen to play together as a team and we hope that Cricket Australia arranges a few warm-up matches before the series in order to help team bonding,'' the former India captain said.

Gavaskar also recalled his experience for playing under a World XI led by Garfield Sobers in 1971.

Pathan eager and excited

Special invitee Irfan Pathan, who was asked to address the media, said he was eager to make it to the final squads in both versions.

``I consider it a great achievement to be chosen in the list of 30 probables in both forms. It will be great to be in the final list, but it would be equally disappointing if I am not able to make it,'' Pathan said.

``To beat Australia you need to put in extra effort and I will do so (if chosen),'' he said, adding that the World XI squad had a better chance of winning the one-dayers.

England captain Michael Vaughan expressed happiness at being chosen in the squad. ``It's a great achievement to be selected in the squad of 30 and it's fantastic to see seven English players in the Test and ODI squads.

``To get into the final squad we're going to have to play well against Australia. Goals are important and there's an ultimate goal to aim for there,'' Vaughan said.

A lot at stake: Buchanan

Australian team coach John Buchanan expressed his excitement at the announcement of the World XI teams.

``Many of the players selected have great records against Australia and I am very excited about the prospect of having them all in one team,'' Buchanan said.

Talking about his side's preparation, the Aussie coach said, ``The team will not want to surrender its unbeaten run in either form of the game so there is a lot at stake. I think now knowing who we will be playing gives the whole concept more reality and we can begin thinking about how we will approach the matches.''

The probables:

For Tests and ODIs: Andrew Flintoff (England), Rahul Dravid, Irfan Pathan, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar (India), Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), Shoaib Akhtar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (Pakistan), Mark Boucher, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock (South Africa), Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka), Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies).

For the Test squad: Steve Harmison, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan (England), Anil Kumble, V.V.S. Laxman (India), Danish Kaneria, Younis Khan (Pakistan), Andre Nel and Graeme Smith (South Africa).

For the ODI squad: Darren Gough, Kevin Pietersen, Marcus Trescothick (England), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Yousuf Youhana (Pakistan), Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) and Chris Gayle (West Indies).

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