Brian Lara of the West Indies walks between the nets during a practice session at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. The six-day Test between Australia and the World XI began last night (Ja time). - REUTERS
SYDNEY, (Reuters):
INTERNATIONAL CRICKET Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed has warned the World XI they must perform in the super Test against Australia which started last night (Ja time) after losing the one-day series 3-0.
"If the concept is to survive it is up to the Test match to save it," Speed told reporters on the eve of the six-day Test in Sydney.
"You could put it in the category of a very good concept but it needs to work in practice. The way we will see that is to have a very good Test match."
World XI captain Graeme Smith followed Speed's lead by urging his players to take greater responsibility for their own performances to compensate for their lack of cohesion as team.
West Indies batsman Brian Lara scored just five runs in the three one-day matches while ICC cricketers of the year Jacques Kallis and Andrew Flintoff also failed to show their best form.
SINGLE UNIT
Smith, the South African skipper, conceded it was difficult to mould a single unit at such notice and said it was up to the players to motivate themselves.
"I'm looking for them to take greater responsibility for themselves going into this Test match, respect for each other, respect for yourself and show a little bit heart," Smith said.
"I want to see the right intensity, the right heart, the right level ... if I feel they are giving 100 per cent then that for me is individual enough."
Smith said the world players had let themselves down with their performances in the one-day series but added he was confident they would be better suited to playing a Test.
"If the 11 individuals reach the standards that they've achieved through their careers then I really believe we can go a long way towards winning this test match," he said.
GIVE THEIR BEST
"I know they've got the skills, they showed to the world that they've got the skills, so I get them to give their heart and mind in the right place.
"Hopefully, this performance can save a little face for the world team and go from strength to strength."
Although Australia's performances in the one-dayers helped ease the pressure on them after their failed Ashes campaign captain Ricky Ponting was still preaching caution.
"Our one-day form was good in England too, it's the Test matches where we struggled," he said.
"They (the World XI) would have to start favourites in this game for the absolute quality of the players they have got all down their list.
"It is an amazing team and one that will challenge us in ever aspect of the game there is no doubt about that."
Shane Watson and Stuart MacGill were added to the Australian team in anticipation of a pitch that should once again favour the spin bowlers.
All-rounder Watson replaced specialist batsman Damien Martyn, who was dropped after Australia's Ashes series loss, while legspinner MacGill took the spot of injured fast bowler Shaun Tait, joining Shane Warne in a twin-spin attack.
