While question marks remain over the validity of the Super Series, there are several personality case scenarios in the World XI that deserve some thought and examination that Sunil Gavaskar’s selection committee should have been aware when making final choices. Being able to transfer from a Test series situation, or that of a limited-overs tournament, to a composite team does require a switch in thinking. England fast bowler Steve Harmison had a problem. Harmison played a lesser role in The Ashes series than initially expected after the Lord’s Test, but spoke for some of the cynical doubters when he said that while playing in the Sydney Test was a challenge, it was tough to motivate oneself when not playing for one’s country. Next best, though, is playing against the old enemy. Look at the way Harmison sorted out Justin Langer. It’s the Baggy Green that’s offering the challenge and that’s good enough for any Pom fast bowler. Especially one worth his Lancashire or Yorkshire salt. Freddie Flintoff would make that extra effort to get rid of any batsman at the other end wearing the baggy green. He joins the league of legends in Brian Statham, Bill Bowes, Fred Trueman and, more latterly, Matthew Hoggard. New Zealander Daniel Vettori put another spin on it when he suggested that despite media claims of some players being over-priced, it wasn’t all about pay packages. To his mind, the tall left-arm spinner felt he had more to prove than most. This is where the individual placed a performance tag on his ability. With two captains running the show, it wasn’t always easy. Vettori was impressive, even alongside Muttiah Muralitharan and on a pitch offering the seamers as much as the spinners (in Sydney) the Kiwi was able to fool the Oz batsmen. But Mark Boucher battled to read both spinners: missed stumping chances, slip catches (a couple of them were tough ones). It placed a lot of pressure on the wicketkeeper as well as the team and Matthew Hayden was the happy recipient when 89. Notice how Adam Gilchrist handled Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill; also in the limited overs series, Kumar Sangakkara’s handling of Vettori was generally exemplary. Having been in a recent series, despite it being Bangladesh, at least made him match-sharp. Boucher had little time to prepare, and it showed. There is nothing wrong with the Super Series concept, just its timing and selectors trying to find accord on the right balance. Also, what would the ICC do if the Test and limited overs ladder leaders were different countries? It can so easily happen. Sri Lanka are second on the list and should they be successful over the next six months can displace Australia.uc England are currently second in the Test rankings and what happens should Michael Vaughan’s team go to top rung and Sri Lanka head the 50 overs list? October is not the month to play in Sri Lanka. The northeast monsoon’s unpredictable patterns could wipe out the series. Playing in England in April and May is as bad as Melbourne in October.
