World XI selection: a few raised eyebrows indeed!

While no team selection of this kind will not attract a wholesome debate, I do think that some of the selections and some non-selections do warrant some eyebrows. The selectors have not applied the same standards to all selections and that is of some concern. Were they selecting on the basis of current form or past records - this is not very clear.

There was always going to be a debtate with regards to the opening slot - Graeme Smith or Michael Vaughan - for opener and by default Captain. I guess the selectors chose Smith because he actually opens for his country whereas Vaughan would have been an makeshift opener. I guess there will be some murmurs also because of Smith's inexperience compared to the team that he is supposed to lead.

What is baffling is the inclusion of Shaun Pollock in both the one day and test sides. On current form, I am not sure he should have been in the 20. What is even more unbelievable is the fact that Inzamam-ul-Haq does not make it to either team. There is simply no reason - form or record - why he should not be there on either of the lists. One one hand people like Kevin Pietersen have been chosen on current form and on the other hand Sachin Tendulkar appears on both sides just by the dint of his past record - his current form has been abysmal.

What about old man Kumble - does he not have a decent record against the Aussies and has he not been winning matches against them lately? Vettori probably makes it to both squads to make up the NZ quota. Also, whats the reason that the South African team has 6 representatives across the two squads - last I heard they were not ranked in the top 3-4 in both forms of cricket. If you take out some of the South Africans - may be you have space for the likes of Inzy, Vaas and Kumble. Clearly, the South African selector on the panel had a stronger voice than anyone else. Not only do they have 6 players, they have both the captaincy slots also. Was'nt Shaun Pollock not considered fit to lead SA sometime back. How come has he become so good a leader so as to lead a World XI?