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World XI unveils formidable lineup for Super Series

Unveiling a lineup featuring nine players with test centuries, the World XI made the first move to ensure the Super Series amounts to more than a glorified cricket exhibition.

Promoted as a contest between the best team in the world -- No. 1-ranked Australia -- against the best players from the rest of the world, the Super Series starts today with the first of three limited-overs internationals at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium.

World XI skipper Shaun Pollock and Australia captain Ricky Ponting both supported the International Cricket Council's decision to grant full status to the one-dayers and the subsequent six-day test in Sydney, predicting an intense series.

Australia is coming off a test series defeat in England, where it lost the Ashes for the first time in 18 years, and has a depleted bowling attack after injuries forced Shaun Tait and Brad Hogg out of the squad.

The World XI bats right down the order, with only No. 11 Shoaib Akhtar yet to register at least a test 50.

Andrew Flintoff, player of the series in England's 2-1 Ashes triumph, is expected to bat at No. 7, behind Virender Sehwag, Kumar Sangakkara, Rahul Dravid, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Kevin Pietersen. Pollock and Daniel Vettori are expected at No. 8 and No. 9. Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan has a highest test score of 67 and should bat one place above Shoaib.
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