World XI Squads Named

[Andy Mellon]

I would go for Vaas too. Not only does he give a slightly different attack (left armer) when Ntini is a similar type of bowler to Flintoff, but he is a decent batsman as well! Now, I won't slate Ntini, who is a good bowler, but I'd take Vaas over Ntini every time. Maleen is also correct in noting that Vaas' home pitches are generally less condusive to his brand of bowling than Ntini's home pitches are to his, making Vaas' achievements all the more impressive.

[Maranello]

Duncan Fletcher is peeved at not being made the coach of the World XI, and at the honour going to John Wright, according to a news article in today's Guardian (link):

Originally Posted by Duncan Fletcher

"It was disappointing. It would have been an honour for me to go out there, but it is up to the ICC. We will leave it at that."

[Rachael]

The Torygraph mentions that Vaughan is in the running as injury replacements (I think the player causing concern might have been Tendulkar: can't recall). Seems Inzi is also in the running but that his poor record against Australia (especially in terms of centuries) might count against him.

Typically... Chanderpaul doesn't even get a mention!

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I think the player causing concern might have been Tendulkar: can't recall

Yes it is Tendulkar, I doubt he would play. His elbow injury was well-known when the squads were announced so seems silly to have selected him only to replace him now.

Vaughan, if selected, should also be the captain. In any case, he might be a better choice than Graeme Smith both as opener and captain.

[Zainub]

Gibbs has pulled out of the Super Series.

http://dawn.com/2005/09/16/spt14.htm

[maleen]

Didn't see about this in cricinfo though, Who do you think will replace him, if he actually pulls out.

[Zainub]

He probably wouldn't have made my squad in the first place, I'd go for Marcus Trescothick.

[Paoli]

Agreed...his century in the ODI at Headingley would've strengthened his claim.

Other possibilities: Youhana (what's his name now?), Inzi, Fleming, Astle, Dravid (is he in the ODI Squad), Jayasuriya, Sarwan, Gayle. I'm sure it'd be a disappointment for Herschelle not to play in this series though.

[Zainub]

Inzi should have been there anyway.

Gibbs is an opener, you would need an opener to replace him. Otherwise Ramanaresh Sarwan and Mohammad Yousuf (that's his name now) would have been a good bet, both of these are middle order players. Fleming and Astle haven't done that well off late against Australia (or have they?).

Gayle and Jayasuriya would be good choices too, considering they're both more then useful bowlers as well

The very fact that Hershelle Gibbs managed to get a place in the squad ahead of all these names speaks volumes about the ineptness of the selectors.

[Paoli]

Gibbs has played some cricket in the middle order of late though; de Villiers and Smith open the ODI batting for South Africa at the moment (or at the time of their last series) I believe.

I'd go for the likes of a Nathan Astle; extremely good batsman and can bowl 5-10 overs if needed.