Aus V Rest of the world.

[Milo]

As Lawire McMenemy once said about Paul Gascoigne, 'he's like a lead violinist, he needs a little pampering'. Sums up Shoaib to me.

[Shaka]

Maranello, I was just pointing out the fact that Shoaib has plenty of critics in Pakistan too, it's not my personal view. I tend to agree with you that the positives outweigh the benefits. I've defended him against plenty of irate fans so I think he does definitely get some people's backs up. to me though, at his best he's unstoppable. Ask the Kiwis who were blown away for about 100 last time Shoaib bowled at them...and they don't have a bad batting line up!

[Mike Small]

Me tends to think this wisden side was selected a while ago (actually on the very day the ICC announced it would hold such a series) , they might have to make some changes in it considering they selected these players on their form then, now though two of these guys aren't even in their national sides, namely Boucher and Yuvraj. If I was to select the team I would seriously resist any temptation to pick players on past records rather then present form, having said that after the recent spate of controversy on the exclusion of Murali from the ICC team of the year announced at the award function I'm glad I'm not in the selectors' (who ever they are) boots. There are so many good players around, and it can be very hard job to please every one at the same time, after all you can only play eleven at a time. Its going to be a tough job.

For the record, I have no doubts what so ever, Australia will win. No to ways about it.

[Mike]

I thought I'd revive this thread since Alec Stewart and Robert Croft put their heads together on Sky yesterday to come up with their team to face Australia. Personally, I think they are a bowler light. I'd drop Tendulkar due to injury and add Harmison to the squad.

Chosen by Alec Stewart and Robert Croft

Strauss (c)
Gibbs
Dravid
Tendulkar
Kallis
Lara
Sangakkara (w)
Flintoff
Pollock
Akhtar
Murali

Vettori (12th man)

[Pete]

Sewhag and Strauss for me.

[Teatime FatCat]

1 Andy Strauss
2 Virender Sehwag
3 Rahul Dravid
4 Sachin Tendulkar
5 Brian Lara
6 Jacques Kallis
7 Kumar Sangakarra (wk)
8 Shaun Pollock
9 Chammy Vaas / Irfan Pathan
10 Makhaya Ntini
11 Muttiah Muralitharan


Possibles would be Shane Bond or an in form Harmison for Ntini. Extra spinner would be Harbajan.

I am a genius

[Zainub]

9 Chammy Vaas

Lol! Chammy sounds so funny.

[Beny]

Strauss (c)
Gibbs
Dravid
Tendulkar
Kallis
Lara
Sangakkara (w)
Flintoff
Pollock
Akhtar
Murali

Vettori (12th man)

Ohh now there's England Bias if I ever saw it.

Strauss is in the team?

And captain???

Come on people. Shewag is renowned as being one of the best batsmen against the Aussies in the world. Gibbs is one of the best oppeners in the modern game.

and add Harmison to the squad

Not going by his current form you wouldent...

Remember there are two allrounders in there and the Aussies survive with only four bowlers, (3 seamers and a spinner)

[Paoli]

1. Strauss
2. Sehwag
3. Lara
4. Dravid
5. Tendulkar
6. Kallis
7. Sangakkara (wk)
8. Pollock (c)
9. Bond/Harmison
10. Akhtar
11. Muralitharan

Akhtar and Bond because they trouble Australia and Pollock for obvious reasons. Harmison will get in dependent on the Ashes series. Murali for obvious reasons and Kumble would be thereabouts. My only possible change would be Stephen Fleming in for perhaps Sehwag. Whether he will open or a Sangakkara or Dravid will is up to the jury.

[Seamer]

Bear in mind that this game is being played on the Sydney cricket ground - a renowned spinners wicket. Australia went in with Warne and McGill in the recent test with Mcgill picking up the man of the match and Warne enjoying success too(i am feeling too lazy to get the stats up). Australia will most likely go in with two spinners and if the world team is smart, they will too. None of the above teams listed have taken this fact into account. My team
Gibbs
Sehwag
Lara
Tendulkar
Dravid(c)
Kallis
Flintoff
Kumble
Muralitharin
Ntini
Bond/Harmison
Aktar(12th)
I would take Ntini ahead of Aktar because with only two pace bowlers, Aktar could not be trusted not to break down.I would only take Harmison if Bond was unavailable. Strauss - one good series is not enough to convince me.