Cricket Australia gearing up for Johnnie Walker Super Series

Planning for the Johnnie Walker Super Series was well underway and on target, Cricket Australia confirmed today.

Following the announcement of the reduced ICC World XI squads, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the excitement around the event was building.

"We are now only three months away from the first match of the Johnnie Walker Super Series in October and things are certainly gathering momentum," Mr Sutherland said.

"Ticket sales are on track and the interest in attending the event is coming both domestically and internationally which is a very encouraging.

"As the ICC World XI squads get closer to finalisation, we are starting to get a real feel for which cricket superstars will be here to play against Ricky Ponting's team in October, and we are looking forward to welcoming the best of international cricket to Australia."

The final World XI squads of 14 for the ODI series and 13 for the Sydney Super Test are due to be selected in mid-August.

Cricket Australia last year won the right to host the inaugural Johnnie Walker Super Series after presenting a compelling case to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Australia's bid was supported by a number of key partners including Telstra Dome, the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust, the Nine Network, the Victorian Government in association with the Victorian Major Events Company and the New South Wales (NSW) Government in conjunction with the NSW Major Events Board.

The Johnnie Walker Super Series is the first ICC event to be held in Australia since the 1992 World Cup, while it has been more than 30 years since Sir Garfield Sobers led an international XI including Bishen Bedi and Clive Lloyd against Ian Chappell's Australian team on the 1971-72 tour of Australia.