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The second best side in the world?
Australia remain head-and-shoulders above the rest of the world, despite failing in their bid for record successive Test victories. If a Global XI could be put together to challenge them, who would make the side?
In October 2005, the ICC organised a four-match Super Series between Australia, universally acknowledged as the best side in the world, and a World XI.
The original idea was that the Super Series would run every four years, filling in the one year in every cycle that does not feature one of the other ICC cash cows.
Hindsight, however, judged the Series a monumental flop. "Can a team of champions beat a champion team?" ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed asked in the promotional build-up. "No," was the comprehensive answer.
Australia, riled by an Ashes defeat only two months earlier, dominated the three-match ODI series before winning the one-off Test by a crushing 210 runs.
The world champions' domination of the series prompted the ICC to shelve plans to stage the series every four years, perhaps even to scrap the whole idea completely.
Two years on, with Ricky Ponting's men still head-and-shoulders above the rest, would the situation be any different? Eurosport.Yahoo.com looks at who might make up a fantasy World XI challenge...
Michael Vaughan (England)
After re-establishing himself at the helm of the England side following an unfortunate string of injuries, Vaughan went on to score 761 runs in 2007 at an excellent average of 47.56. Although a big score eluded him in Sri Lanka, there were plenty signs that Vaughan is close to rediscovering the sublime form of three or four years ago, when he dominated the world scene with a series of scintilating performances.
Sourav Ganguly (India)
Ganguly's revival since breaking back into the squad for the away series in South Africa last winter has been stunning. Over 1,000 runs in the calendar year, including back-to-back hundreds against Pakistan, the second of which, a glorious 239, proves the 35-year-old is back to his destructive best.
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
The best batsman on the planet at the moment, according to the ICC rankings. In the 22 Tests since relinquishing the wicketkeeping duties, Sangakkara averages over 96, with an an average of one half-century per match, and ended the year with with scores of 150-plus in four consecutive Test matches.
Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
No batsman has scored more Test runs since 2004 than Kallis, 4,044 at an average of 72.21. Although his strike-rate (43.73) has drawn criticism, Kallis should instead be praised for his flawless defensive technique and the value that he puts in his wicket. Once a reluctant bowler, Kallis' seam has also enjoyed a revival of late.
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Eight centuries in his last 16 Tests, including a triple and a double, Jayawardene has blossomed with the responsibility of captaincy. Like Kallis, he is not a batsman who scores at a thrilling rate, although sheer weight of runs can never be ignored.
Kevin Pietersen (England)
Although 2007 has not been as kind to KP as the previous year, England's talisman still scored 978 runs at an average of almost 50, including four centuries in 11 Tests. In addition, Pietersen is showing the intelligence to adapt his style to the circumstances of the match, although his strike-rate of 65.07 remains one of the highest in Test cricket.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India)
An audaciously attacking batsman, Singh has carved out a reputation as a clinical destroyer of bowling attacks as well as a top-class wicketkeeper. The 26-year-old, already a critical member of a revitalised Indian side, averages almost 45 in his last 10 Tests, including five half-centuries.
Anil Kumble (India)
The best leg-spinner in the game at the moment, Kumble has taken 42 wickets in just nine Tests this calendar year. In August he went past Glenn McGrath's 563 wickets to move to number three on the all-time list, a record he celebrated with his maiden Test century in the very same match. Now 37 years-of-age, India recognised Kumble's vast experience by making him Test captain.
Mohammad Asif (Pakistan)
The 25-year-old has bounced back from a doping ban at the end of last year to regain his position as one of the world's most promising bowling talents. Although not especially quick, Asif has remarkable control over his bowling and the ability to seam and swing the ball both ways - as a record of 51 Test wickets in just 11 Tests (at a strike-rate of a wicket every 45 balls) proves.
Dale Steyn (South Africa)
Steyn has always had the pace to rival Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar and Shaun Tait, but 2007 was the year that the 24-year-old added swing and control to his armoury to become a more rounded bowler - although he is best used as an aggressive strike-option. Cemented his place in the top five of the ICC rankings with a superb performance in the series against New Zealand in November, in which he took 20 of the 37 Kiwi wickets to fall.
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Murali remains the most dangerous bowler in the world, especially now that he has improved his doosra to such an extent that it is as much of a stock delivery as his off-spinner. The Smiling Assassin finished the year with more Test wickets than any other bowler, passing Shane Warne's Test record of 708 wickets against England in December.
EUROSPORTS
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