Inzamam and Gayle called up to Johnnie Walker Super Series squads, Dravid to join ODI team

Inzamam ul Haq and Chris Gayle have been called up to play in the Johnnie Walker Super Series while India's Rahul Dravid has been added to the ICC World XI One-Day squad in addition to his Test duties.

Inzamam will take Sachin Tendulkar's place in the Test squad for the match in Sydney from 14-19 October while Dravid is replacing Tendulkar in the ODI squad for the games in Melbourne on 5, 7 and 9 October. Gayle replaces Herschelle Gibbs in the 14-man ODI squad.

Johnnie Walker Super Series Chairman of Selectors Sunil Gavaskar said that the selectors were fortunate to have such stellar players waiting in the wings.

"Obviously we are disappointed that Sachin and Herschelle have been forced out with injury but we have been able to call on three world class players to cover this loss," said Mr Gavaskar.

"Both Inzamam and Gayle were extremely close to making the original squads so we were delighted to have an opportunity to bring these two great players into the ICC World XI sides for the Johnnie Walker Super Series

"To also be able to promote a player of Dravid's quality from just the Test squad to both squads is a tremendous bonus."

Inzaman, Gayle and Dravid were all selected in the provisional squads of 20 for the Johnnie Walker Super Series in the forms of the game for which they have now been selected.

The Selection Panel convened to make its decisions after the ICC received a communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirming that Sachin Tendulkar had been withdrawn from the Johnnie Walker Super Series on fitness grounds.

Prof R.S. Shetty, Executive Secretary In-charge of the BCCI advised that Tendulkar would not be taking part in the event in Australia next month.

"In the given circumstances Mr. Sachin Tendulkar has opted out of the ICC Johnnie Walker Super Series 2005," wrote Prof Shetty in an email to the ICC.

The Johnnie Walker Super Series will begin with three One-Day International matches in Melbourne on 5, 7 and 9 October before a six-day Super Test in Sydney from 14-19 October.

ICC World XI - Test

Graeme Smith (capt), Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Inzamam ul Haq, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Steve Harmison, Shoaib Akhtar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Daniel Vettori.

ICC World XI - ODI

Shaun Pollock (capt), Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag, Jacques Kallis, Brian Lara, Kevin Pietersen, Rahul Dravid, Andrew Flintoff, Kumar Sangakkara, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Makhaya Ntini, Muttiah Muralitharan, Daniel Vettori.