28 yrs later, world comes full circle

On 9 May 1977, Kerry Packer launched the first Super Tests - World Series Cricket. Declaring that he had signed 50 of the world's leading pl...

On 9 May 1977, Kerry Packer launched the first Super Tests – World Series Cricket. Declaring that he had signed 50 of the world’s leading players, Packer split world cricket. Ironically, exactly 28 years to that day the International Cricket Council brought them together by announcing the probables list for the World XI Test and one-day teams to take on world champions Australia in the Super Series this October.

WHO MISSED OUT?

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly failed to find a place in either teams but he need not sulk since three other Test captains Stephen Fleming (NZ), Marvan Atapattu (SL) and Shivnaraine Chanderpaul (WI) also failed to make the cut. South African skipper Graeme Smith only managed to make the Test team despite the fact that he has scored four centuries in the last nine one-dayers. Irfan Pathan, woefully out of form as well as unfit and Shoaib Akhtar, who missed the last few series due to injury are two surprise inclusions based more on popularity than merit. Chris Cairns is another surprising omission since he is one of the most feared opponents for the Australians.

Flashback ’77

• It all began in 1977 when Kerry Packer, Australian media moghul, was frustrated into buying 50 leading cricketers by the Australian Cricket Board’s refusal to accept an AUS$1.5 million bid for the television rights to screen Australian cricket.

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• For the first time, cameras at both ends, coloured clothing, white balls, black sightscreens graced grounds that were hosting cricket matches for the first time- since regular grounds were not available.

• South Africans-Mike Procter, Barry Richards, Clive Rice, Kepler Wessels, Eddie Barlow and Garth Le Roux- got some much-needed exposure denied by the sanctions.

• Six SuperTests were played during the inaugural season in 1977-78, with hosts Australia losing to West Indies and the World side, both by a 2-1 margin.

• Big bucks reckoned as England captain, Tony Greig was paid $400 per Test match or $2000 for the season.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

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• Players’ overall career records in both Test and ODI cricket

• Their form in both Test and ODI cricket over the past 12 months

• Their overall playing records against Australia and their performances against the world champion team in Australia

• Players’ positions in the ICC Rankings for both Test and ODI cricket

THE MONEY

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US$1.25 million
Combined prize money and match payments for the one-day series

US$1.39 million
The total money available for the Super Test

THE BREAK-UP

	39 players have been chosen. Of that 21 players included in the Test squad alone and there are nine players nominated as ODI specialists.
		Team	Test players (Rating)	ODI players (Rating)
		England	5(II)	4(VI)
		India	7(III)	5(VIII)
		NZ	2(VII)	0(III)
		Pakistan	5(IV)	7(IV)
		SA	7(V)	5(V)
		SL	3(V)	4(II)
		WI	2(VIII)	3(VII)
		IT’S OFFICIAL The matches will be accorded official Test and ODI status. Renowned statistician Bill Frindall can take a hike.
		SCHEDULE One-day series: October 5, 7, 9 at Melbourne (Telstra Dome) Six-day Super Test: October 14-19, Sydney Cricket Ground
		SELECTORS Sunil Gavaskar (chairman, India), Mike Atherton (England), Sir Richard Hadlee

Squads

		England: Andrew Flintoff (both Test and one-day); Steve Harmison, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan (Test); Darren Gough, Kevin Pietersen, Marcus Trescothick (one-day). India: Rahul Dravid, Irfan Pathan, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar (both); Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman (Test). New Zealand: Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori (both). Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar, Inzamam-ul Haq, Naved-ul-Hasan (both); Danish Kaneria, Younis Khan (Test); Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Yousuf Youhana (one-day). South Africa: Mark Boucher, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock (both); Andre Nel, Graeme Smith (Test). Sri Lanka: Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas (both); Sanath Jayasuriya (one-day). West Indies: Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan (both). Chris Gayle (one-day).