Squad announcements spark World XI captaincy debate

Just over a week on from the announcement of the squads for the Johnnie Walker Super Series, speculation is in full swing as to the possible identity of the man who might captain the ICC World XI teams against Australia in October.

With only three current Test captains in Michael Vaughan, Graeme Smith and Inzamam-ul-Haq named in the squads, the merits of each individual have already been analysed by media pundits.

According to a report on the BBC Sport Online website, Pakistan's Inzamam is considering the prospect of leading the World XI. "A place in the World XI would be enough. If I get the captaincy it would be the icing on the cake. Much will depend on our West Indies series. If I am able to win, I will be in line to lead the World XI surely," he said.

In Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald identified England's Michael Vaughan as `the obvious choice if he recaptured his superb form against Australia in this winter's Ashes series', but warned that `with no centuries and an average of 28.6 from his past 15 Test innings, Vaughan's selections as a batsman is not guaranteed'.

The possible claims of ex-skippers Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar are described as `modest' based on their past performances, while India's Rahul Dravid is nominated as a contender for the job by the Sydney-based newspaper.

Interviewed by Sky Sports cricket reporter Tim Abrahams, Vaughan said: "It's a great incentive to try and get into the squad of 20 and then into the final 13. I'll be trying to have a good summer against the Aussies to try and push myself into that final 13. To get into the final squad we're going to have to play well against Australia. Goals are important and there's an ultimate goal to aim for there."

While Vaughan may be reluctant to stake his own captaincy claims, UK tabloids the Daily Mirror and Daily Express are not so inhibited. `World leader Vaughan' and `Vaughan chance to be top of world' push the England man's credentials, which are supported by a quote from Johnnie Walker selector and ex-England captain Mike Atherton, who told the Express: "Competition is huge but if Michael makes the final XI he must be close to the captaincy."

Supporters of big name players who failed to make the squads have also aired their views, particularly in championing the causes of players like India captain Sourav Ganguly, Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming and big-hitting all rounder Chris Cairns.

Commenting on the omission of Cairns, Sir Richard Hadlee told Radio Sport in New Zealand that his absence from the one-day squad could be put down to a combination of factors such as question marks over fitness, whether he would be sufficiently match-hardened because of a lack of cricket now that he is a one-day specialist, and competition from South Africans Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock.