SA to host cricket Super Series
Brad Morgan
10 March 2004
South Africa has been chosen to host the International Cricket Council's inaugural Super Series, to be played between the world's top ranked cricketing nation, Australia, and a Rest of the World Eleven. The series will consist of three one-day internationals and one Test.
International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Malcolm Speed will visit South Africa at the end of March, along with ICC President Ehsan Mani, to discuss the event.
Prize money for the competition is expected to be sizeable - in the region of one million US dollars - which should ensure that the world's top players want to play.
Selection criteria
What still remains to be sorted out is the composition of the Rest of the World Eleven.
Firstly, it should be pointed out that one-day cricket is a very different discipline than Test cricket so, in the case of the Rest of the World team, those two sides could differ quite dramatically.
Secondly, it is not yet known how teams will be selected. Will they be based on rankings, or will a selection panel be appointed?
Using the rankings would appear to be a fair way in which to find the best Rest of the World Eleven, but it certainly shows some weaknesses. For instance, Sachin Tendulkar, regarded far and wide as one of the top three batsmen in the world, is ranked just eighth in the Test batting rankings at present.
Another case suggesting that rankings are probably not the way to go is the fact that Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath is ranked fourth, but last played a Test in July 2003.
So, for my money at least, it appears that a selection panel would be formed to pick the Rest of the World team.
South African selections?
A number of South Africans should challenge for places in the side. Jacques Kallis would surely be a choice in the top order, while Shaun Pollock has proven over a long time that he is
one of the world's best pace bowlers.
Then there is Makhaya Ntini, who was the top wicket taker in Test cricket in 2003. Also, don't forget the South African opening pair of Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs, who in just one year have become the only pair in history to share in three triple-century opening partnerships.
There might also be place for the experienced Gary Kirsten. Maybe too for Mark Boucher, who is now third on the list of dismissals by wicketkeepers in Tests. Who knows? But there should surely be some home interest in the Super Series.
The visit of the ICC's Malcolm Speed and Ehsan Mani to South Africa will hopefully provide some answers.
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