ICC announces official World XI ODI Team of the Year

The ICC today announced its official World XI ODI Team of the Year, as chosen by the specially-appointed five-man selection panel chaired by cricketing great Richie Benaud.

The announcement was made at the ICC Awards celebration at Alexandra Palace in London. Presented by Hyundai in association with FICA, the ICC Awards recognise the best international players of the past 12 months.

The World XI ODI Team of the Year (in batting order) is:

1. Adam Gilchrist
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Chris Gayle
4. Ricky Ponting (captain)
5. Brian Lara
6. Virender Sehwag
7. Jacques Kallis
8. Andrew Flintoff
9. Shaun Pollock
10. Chaminda Vaas
11. Jason Gillespie

Six nations are represented in the World XI One-Day International Team of the Year, highlighting the strength of elite international cricket.

Australian Ricky Ponting, who 18 months ago led his team to a record-breaking ICC Cricket World Cup title, was named captain of the World XI ODI Team of the Year.

Ponting said: "This is a great thrill and honour. I turned up tonight not expecting anything and when you see some of the names who have missed out (on selection), you realise how lucky you are."

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff capped a memorable night, securing a place in the World XI side after earlier being named the One-Day International Player of the Year.

Chairman of the ICC Awards Selection Panel, Richie Benaud, said the world ODI XI team comprised 11 outstanding cricketers who offered specialist skills as well as flexibility.

"The difficulty and challenge for the Selection Panel was in leaving quality players out of the team, and that is always going to be the case when you have only 11 positions available," said Mr Benaud.

"The starting point for our selections was to agree we needed to choose a balanced side, able to compete on a very good cricket pitch and win against the toughest opposition.

"The team includes six specialist batsman, two all-rounders, and three pacemen, with several others in the team, such as Sachin Tendulkar and Chris Gayle, who could take the ball during the innings as well.

"Our selections were not based on statistics, though figures need to be considered among other aspects.

"Based on our judgment, knowledge and experience, we believe the players selected are thoroughly deserving of their place in the respective sides.

"No account was taken of from where the players came, though six major cricketing nations are represented in our final choice."

The World XI ODI Team of the Year was chosen by the ICC's specially-appointed expert selection panel comprising Richie Benaud (Chairman), Ian Botham, Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Holding and Barry Richards using their knowledge, judgment and expert opinion.

One-Day International statistics for the 11 players during the voting period were: