ICC World XI challenge looms for Australia as Johnnie Walker Super Series squads are unveiled

The ultimate challenge to Australia's cricketing supremacy came a step closer today with the announcement of the ICC World XI squads of 20 players for the Johnnie Walker Super Series in Australia this October.

Heading a star cast of batsmen are Sachin Tendulkar, Michael Vaughan, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag who all average above 50 in Tests against Australia. Steve Harmison, Shoaib Akhtar, Mutiah Muralitharan and Makhaya Ntini are included among a potent squad of bowlers, while Andrew Flintoff and Shaun Pollock lead a clutch of world class all rounders.

After missing out on selection in the original squads of 30, West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been included in the ICC World XI Test squad after averaging more than 77 over his last 13 Tests. Another squad newcomer is England fast bowler Steve Harmison, picked for the ICC World XI ODI squad after impressive form in the NatWest series.

The strength and depth of the squads is highlighted by the quality of players Sunil Gavaskar's selection panel has been forced to exclude. Missing from the original Test squad of 30 are VVS Laxman, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chaminda Vaas, while no place could be found for Marcus Trescothick, Sanath Jayasuriya or Darren Gough among the One Day International specialists. The dream of taking on the world champion team has also ended for Andrew Strauss, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Naved ul Hasan, Danish Kaneria, Yousuf Youhana, Shoaib Malik and Andre Nel.

"It was an almost impossible task to cut down the original squads to just 20 players," said Sunil Gavaskar, chairman of the Johnnie Walker selection panel. "To leave out players of the calibre of Laxman, Sarwan, Vaas, Strauss, Trescothick and Harbhajan Singh was very difficult. At the same time we also took current form into account, which is why Shivnarine Chanderpaul came into the Test squad and Steve Harmison forced his way into the reckoning for the One Day games."

While banking on proven performers, the selection panel of Mr Gavaskar, Mike Atherton, Sir Richard Hadlee, Clive Lloyd, Jonty Rhodes and Aravinda de Silva also placed faith in a number of the game's brightest young stars. Brendon McCullum, Kevin Pietersen and Shahid Afridi have been chosen for their outstanding form in recent months and the impression made on seasoned judges who have monitored their performances.

South Africa has six players across both squads, Pakistan has five, England and India four, West Indies three and New Zealand and Sri Lanka each has two representatives.

The 20 players selected for the ICC World XI Test and ODI squads, by country, are:

With the final squads of 14 for the ODI series and 13 for the Sydney Super Test due to be selected in mid-August, Johnnie Walker selector Mike Atherton said there is still time for players to stake a compelling case for inclusion over the next six weeks: "It must be disappointing for the guys who haven't made it into the squads of 20 but they shouldn't give up hope. Form and fitness will still be taken into account at the final meeting; we may need to replace injured players and if someone like Andrew Strauss for example has an outstanding Ashes series, there could be a case for us to consider bringing him in."

Having been picked in both revised squads, England all rounder Andrew Flintoff said: "It's great. I'm pleased I'm in the 20 but I desperately hope I'm in the final 14. The opportunity to play in Australia for the World XI and share a dressing room with some of the best players in the world is something I would desperately love to be involved in."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said the Johnnie Walker Super Series was a welcome addition to the international calendar: "It's an exciting prospect for all of the players involved in the team, not just the Australians, but everyone involved in the World XI as well. It's a great addition to the international calendar and I know that every single player in the Australian team is really looking forward to it.

"It's going to be a fantastic spectacle and I'm sure the crowds down in Australia will get right behind it. It should be very, very special when you've got a side including outstanding players like Flintoff, Vaughan, Tendulkar, Sehwag, Vettori, Inzamam and Shoaib."

Learning of his selection, Indian batting star Rahul Dravid, picked in both Test and ODI squads said: "It's an honour to be selected, to be considered among some of the best players in the world at the moment. There are some great names in the squad and just to be considered is a huge honour, it means a lot."

Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar, also selected for both ICC World XI squads, commented: "It's a great honour for me and a great opportunity to bowl against some of the biggest stars. I love playing against Australia. If I was selected for the final teams, I would take it very seriously. I like to do well against Australia all the time, but it won't be easy."

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said that the naming of the squads of 20 gave an insight to the range of talents and skills that cricket lovers can look forward to watching during the tournament. "I sympathise with the selectors in having to make tough choices in leaving players out of these squads but I am also excited at the prospect of watching those that have been selected in action.

"Everywhere you look in both squads there are players of the very highest calibre, and some who will rank as all-time greats in the history of the game. If it was tough getting down from 30 to 20 names, it will be even more demanding for Sunil and his colleagues to choose the final squads of 13 and 14," said Mr Speed.

Of the 26 players selected, 14 are named in both the Test and ODI squads, six are included in the Test squad alone and there are six players nominated as ODI specialists.

The final squads of 14 for the ICC World XI ODI team and 13 for the Test squad will be selected and announced in August, when a captain, or captains, will also be named. A World XI coach and management team will also be appointed.