Ponting leads World XI Test Team of the Year
The ICC announced its official World XI Test Team of the Year
Cricinfo staff
11-Oct-2005
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The ICC announced its official World XI Test Team of the Year, as chosen by a specially appointed selection panel chaired by Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.
The announcement was made at the ICC Awards celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney. The ICC Awards recognise the best international players of the past 12 months.
The World XI Test Team of the Year, in batting order, is:
1. Virender Sehwag (India)
2. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
3. Ricky Ponting (capt, Australia)
4. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
5. Brian Lara (West Indies)
6. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
7. Andrew Flintoff (England)
8. Adam Gilchrist (wk, Australia)
9. Shane Warne (Australia)
10. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
11. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
12th man: Anil Kumble (India)
2. Graeme Smith (South Africa)
3. Ricky Ponting (capt, Australia)
4. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
5. Brian Lara (West Indies)
6. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
7. Andrew Flintoff (England)
8. Adam Gilchrist (wk, Australia)
9. Shane Warne (Australia)
10. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
11. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
12th man: Anil Kumble (India)
Seven teams are represented in the 12-man line-up and six players - Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, Adam Gilchrist, Chaminda Vaas and Shane Warne - were also named in the World XI Test Team of the Year in 2004.
Ponting, Australia's captain, was named captain of the World XI Test Team of the Year, the second year in a row he has received that accolade.
The World XI Test Team of the Year was chosen by the ICC's specially appointed expert selection panel comprising Sunil Gavaskar (chairman), Sir Richard Hadlee, Courtney Walsh, Rodney Marsh and David Gower. Selection for the Test Team of the Year was based on performances between the voting period of August 1, 2004 to July 31, 2005. Statistics were available as a guide but were not necessarily a determining factor in the choices made.
Test statistics for the players during the voting period were:
| BATTING | |||||||||
| Virender Sehwag | |||||||||
| Graeme Smith | |||||||||
| Ricky Ponting | |||||||||
| Jacques Kallis | |||||||||
| Brian Lara | |||||||||
| Inzamam-ul-Haq | |||||||||
| Andrew Flintoff | |||||||||
| Adam Gilchrist | |||||||||
| Shane Warne | |||||||||
| Chaminda Vaas | |||||||||
| Glenn McGrath | |||||||||
| Anil Kumble | |||||||||
| BOWLING | |||||||||
| Graeme Smith | |||||||||
| Ricky Ponting | |||||||||
| Jacques Kallis | |||||||||
| Andrew Flintoff | |||||||||
| Shane Warne | |||||||||
| Chaminda Vaas | |||||||||
| Glenn McGrath | |||||||||
| Anil Kumble |
Individuals selected for the Test and ODI Teams of the Year each receive a commemorative, hand-crafted cap which varies in style to reflect the different forms of the game. The caps were presented by Michael Holding, the former West Indies captain, fast bowler and a member of the voting Academy.