John Wright to coach ICC World XI teams in Johnnie Walker Super Series

Former India coach John Wright has been appointed to coach the ICC World XI Test and ODI teams in October's Johnnie Walker Super Series in Australia.

Wright's appointment, announced in India today by ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed, will see him assist the world's best players in preparing for the challenge of three One Day Internationals and a one-off, six day Test match against world champion team Australia.

His credentials for the prestigious position are endorsed by his record as the most successful international coach against Australia in recent years. Under his guidance, India beat Steve Waugh's team 2-1 in the famous 2000-01 series in India and followed up by holding them to a 1-1 drawn series in Australia in 2003-04. His overall Test record as India coach against Australia includes four wins, four losses and three drawn matches.

Looking forward to the challenge of taking on Australia, John Wright said: "I've enjoyed some tremendous battles with Australia over the years as both player and coach, so this is another outstanding opportunity to pit my wits and skills against them. It will be a real privilege and a great thrill to work with so many outstanding players during the series."

Mr Wright's appointment was recommended by former India captain Sunil Gavaskar and endorsed by ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed.

Mr Gavaskar said that the appointment was a significant move in the build up to October's show-down with the world's top team: "John is a highly experienced and respected coach who knows what it is like to beat Australia, something which few other coaches have managed to do over the past decade.

"It will be a tough assignment to bring together players from around the world and mould them into a unit in a short space of time, but John's experience and working relationships with many of the players likely to be involved make him the man best suited to succeed in our opinion."

In addition to his 42 Tests and 130 One Day Internationals as India coach, Wright enjoyed a 23 year Test career as a left handed opening batsman for New Zealand. In 82 Tests, he scored more than 5,300 runs with 12 centuries, backed up with 3,891 runs in 149 ODIs.

Mr Speed also used today's occasion to announce the Official Partners for the Johnnie Walker Super Series. Joining the title sponsor in supporting the event are ABN AMRO, LG, MasterCard, Hero Honda and Emirates. LG, Hero Honda and Emirates are major existing commercial partners of the ICC while ABN AMRO and MasterCard join hands for the first time.

In addition to these major Partners, Hyundai has been appointed as the Official Car of the Super Series and Reebok as the Official Clothing Supplier.

In announcing the Commercial Partners for the ICC's newest event, Mr Speed said: "It is with great pleasure that I am able to thank all of our Partners for the Johnnie Walker Super Series 2005. In Johnnie Walker, ABN AMRO, MasterCard and Reebok we warmly welcome new members to the ICC family, and may I also extend our thanks to LG, Hero Honda, Emirates and Hyundai who have carried forward their already strong support of the ICC."