AUSTRALIA - Manager: Mustafa Khan

This is a new season and a new dawn for the Aussies. They all look ready, along with manager Mustafa Khan, the team looks great. Khan in a press release said "I feel sorry for the other teams, as they will have to stare while we take this trophy as well. We will definately prove once again that we are the Test World Champions and none can stop us!!"

Very confident are the Aussie side, and it is to be seen how well they perform on the field, with players like Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, captain Mark Taylor, "Spin King" Shane Warne, fast bowler Glenn McGrath and spearhead Jason Gillespie, the Aussies are top favourites in this league.

ENGLAND - Manager: Dan Thomas

New England boss Dan Thomas announced his squad and starting line up for the up coming test championship. After the disappointing series in West Indies during the winter some change were definitely needed.

There is a definite strategy planned for the championship and the squad has been picked to reflect that. The plan is to play 6 quality batsman, a specialist keeper, 2 pace man and 2 spinners.

Alec Stewart the new captain was said to be pleased with the team and hopes to lead England to victory.

Asked about the possible surprise inclusion of Smith and Hick Dan Thomas said "Smith and Hick are quality batsman with loads of experience. As this championship is important we went for experienced players who will get the job done."

The batting certainly looks strong with the experienced opening partnership of Stewart and Atherton. It was discussed to possibly drop Atherton but it is hoped with the burden of captaincy removed he will regain his confidence. The middle order has the stroke making talents of Thorpe, Hussain, Hick and Ramprakash.

Dan Thomas has gone on record as saying Ramps had too many chances and should not be part of the England team but after his form this winter he could not be ignored and rightly maintains his place. Reserve batsmen in case of injury are Knight, Smith and Hollioake. Rumours that Hollioake is only a reserve as Stewart felt snubbed at not getting the 1 day captaincy are vigorously denied.

The return of both Gough and Cork should improve the bowling attack and with the spin duo of Croft and Tufnell as well offer a strong and balanced attack. Salisbury gained a surprise return to add a bit of variety but is considered a reserve bowler and the ever reliable Fraser is on hand if Cork or Gough break down.

With the poor form of Russell in the winter a new keeper had to be selected and Dan Thomas perhaps showed his Worcestershire bias in bringing Rhodes back in to the international scene.

Dan Thomas is confident that England can compete with the best in this league. He has had considerable success in this style of tournament in the past and hopes to maintain this record.

England are not making up the numbers but are going out to dominate the championship.

INDIA - Manager: Mat Kenneally

Well after a successful series against Australia the Indian cricket team is in top form and primed for this League. I (Mat Kenneally) am ecstatic to have the job of managing this team. It is my first job and will be made easier by talented players such as Kumble and Tendulkar.

With the conditions of the League eliminating the chance of rain India hopes to play a style of cricket where we bat the opposition out of the match. With players such as Dravid, Tendulkar, Jadeja, and Sidhu this is possible. Our handy bowling lineup featuring two stars Kumble and Srinath will hopefully be defending hoards of runs throughout the year.

Good batting pitchs will do India no end of good. If Sidhu and Laxman can get us off to a good start then Jadeja and Tendulkar can cut loose with their aggressive batting style. Azharuddin will be expected to keep their heads cool regardless of the situation. Ganguly is a class player who complements an already talented and diverse batting side.

The skills of Sachin Tendulkar are absoulutely vital to India's hopes of succeeding in this league. If Sachin can tear teams to pieces then India will be almost certain of victory. The basic plan devised in the preseason has been to 5 batsmen ahead of him shielding Sachin from the pumped up new ball bowlers. Coming in at 6 we hope he can combine with Dravid or the five remaining batsmen to put on a big score. If we lose 4 early wickets having Tendulkar at six will mean we are still in the match. With Sachin capable of a ton from any position as long as our tail can stick to him. The dashing ability of Sachin Tendulkar is oh so important to the prospects of India.

Our bowlers are going to have a tough ask with limited resources. Injuries to Srinath and Kumble will leave India on their knees. Srinath and Kumble are champions who will carry this attack on their shoulders both averaging 20-25. The players who will have to step up in these players absence are Prassad, Raju, Ganguly, and Tendulkar who are all handy bowlers. Tendulkar's recent legspin efforts in one-day cricket have convinced me he is capable of becoming a frontline bowler. Injuries may force him into the role. Ganguly is a probing medium pace who if handed the new ball is more then handy at getting an early wicket. Prassad is our best bowler behind the two stars hence his integral role in the team. His ability to seam and cut the ball is essential to India winning the title. Raju is a backup bowler who India will need. For us to come up trumps our lesser lights must support Kumble and Srinath as bowlers.

Well in my first season as a manager I am over the moon with anticipation. The feeling in the Indian camp is fantastic with players looking forward to putting sides in the field for days on end. Azharuddin will lead the side allowing Sachin Tendulkar to focus on his batting and his increasingly important legspin bowling. Srinath and Prasad are a fantastic new ball combo with Kumble to follow as our #1 spinner. In all a feeling of anticipation has swept through this team and if success does not occur this year the experience will assist in future seasons.

NEW ZEALAND - Manager: Ben Buchanan

The New Zealand squad was announced with only 2 major changes from their last test series against Zimbabwe. Opening batsman Llorne Howell has been given his chance to push either Bryan Young or Blair Pocock out of the side. Dion Nash has also been recalled to the squad.

Manager Ben Buchanan seemed impressed with the selection of his squad explaining, "Although it is a very young squad I'm sure they will compete extremely well in this series. I'm disappointed that we are being labelled the 'worst test playing nation in the world'. Although our results haven't been that good over the past couple of years, we will show the world that we are no pushovers!"

Of the players who were unlucky to miss out on the squad were promising paceman David Sewell and left arm spinner Mark Priest. Ben Buchanan said, "We thought Sewell's fitness wasn't up to standard at the moment and he's been plagued with hamstring injuries over the past eyar so we though Dion Nash would be a better selection. As for Mark Priest, he was extremely unlucky. We decided to go with the spin of Daniel Vetorri and Chris Harris."

Stephen Fleming said "I'm happy with the squad we've selected, and I think we have the players to cause most teams considerable problems. I expect nothing less than finishing top 4"

When asked who would be his toughest opponents Stephen Fleming replied, "I think on their day anyone can beat anyone. Of course the Australian team is always a difficult opponent but we have a gameplan that we think will be very effective against them. The team we will be really watching out for are the Warwick Todd XI. Although a lot of their players are 'over the hill', we will still be wary of their talents."

Overall, it should be an exciting series to decipher who is the best test playing nation in the world at the moment.

PAKISTAN - Manager: Nathan Porter

SOUTH AFRICA - Manager: Steve Hill

SA SQUAD SELECTED!
---------------------------

The South African squad for the forthcoming test series has finally been selected with few surprises in the squad.

Team manager Steve Hill said that the selectors have gone for a tried and tested side with a couple of relatively young or newer faces, but some of the old stalwarts still holding on to their place in the squad.

A well-balanced squad featuring 8 front line batsmen amd 4/5 all-rounders also feautring up and coming wicketkeeper/batsman - Mark Boucher, could provide for good entertainment and some well fought cricket matches throughout the series.

Any side that can boast the likes of Allan Donald, the world's most feared fast bowler at the moment with brilliant back up bowlers in the likes of Pollock, Klusener, Symcox and company together with world-class batsmen like Kirsten, Cullinan, Cronje and youngster Kallis, must fancy their chances at walking away with the title. Don't forget Jonty of course.

Steve Hill can only say "Watch out world - here we come".

It all points to some brilliant cricket.

SRI LANKA - Manager: Keith McLeod

The unprecedented selection of unknown Keith McLeod as Sri Lankan coach has caused controversy throughout the cricket world. The 23 year old New Zealander is certainly a chancy selection, as comments from his partner, Ms. Louise Hickley indicate; 'I can't believe it, to tell you the truth' said Ms. Hickley, in an interview earlier today 'He's kind of stupid. Really quite dimwitted'.

When McLeod was asked about the chances of the Sri Lankan team in the upcoming tests, he made the following comment.

'I really think we can beat them. The Sri Lankans are highly overrated, whereas my players are in great form, particularly Tendulkar. And Azharuddin is really in a purple patch at the moment. Basically I scoff at Sri Lanka's chances against my side. Scoff.'

On clarification that in fact he was coach of the other team, McLeod qualified his earlier comment with the following.

'I scoff at India. Scoff'

It would take a brave man to bet on a Sri Lankan win against the strong Indian side this weekend. Although the class of many of the players is undoubted, the green, and quite frankly imbecillic coach could be a weakness the opposition can really capitalise on.

WEST INDIES - Manager: Joshua Johnson

Well after the dramas of pre-season selection the West Indian Team to compete for the coveted Warwick Todd Trophy has been selected. The team consists of an extremely strong batting attack, spearheaded by the the Lara, Adams, Chanderpaul trio. If only one of these three batsmen fire in a match, than a large total could end up on the board. The bowling attack is quite strong as well with Ambrose, Bishop and Walsh providing the main strengths.

On the down side the tail is quite long, essentially starting at #7 with Ambrose. Hopefully the upper and middle order will take the responsibility and ensure big totals for our bowlers to defend.

Our Round 1 game is against England, in England. Hopefully those green wickets over there hold enough for the big West Indian pacemen to take quick wickets. The West Indian side had no problems defeating the English in the West Indies this past summer and hope to repeat that success this week in the first match.

Manager, Joshua Johnson, had this to say about his team's chances against the English, "The only problem with our team overcoming the English in this match will be their manager Dan Thomas, whom from what I know, has more inside knowledge on International Test Cricket (ITC) than anyone else alive. If anyone knows how to put a winning team together, it should be him. But, he has to pick an English side, so he would have to be EXTREMELY good."

ZIMBABWE - Manager: Dave Hickey

After taking the Australian 1930s team to a creditable 9th place in Matt Clark's Email Cricket Premier League, manager Dave Hickey has rejoined the Zimbabwe Test team. Hickey made his managerial debut with Zimbabwe in Geoff Willett's Howzat League, where he guided them to 10th place.

When asked about his dismal managerial career, Hickey responded that he was learning all the time and that the Zimbabwe Cricket Board had no concerns about his ability. He denied rumours that he had been trying to get into a 6 or 8 team league to improve his record, but he did confirm that Zimbabwe had high expectations and would be disappointed if they finished any lower than 8th.

Hickey has already had to deal with his first controversy in the volatile Zimbabwe camp. Hickey has relieved Alistair Campbell of the captaincy and has installed former skipper Andy Flower as caretaker captain. "Campbell did not have a photo for the website and therefore we had no option but to sack him. If Zimbabwe wish to compete with the rest of the world then we just have to get more professional" Hickey said. It is expected that Campbell will be reinstated as soon as he passes a photo test.

In other news, Hickey has named a very impressive Zimbabwe squad. The bowling looks very strong with "spin twins" Paul Strang and Adam Huckle expected to cause plenty of problems once Heath Streak has finished with the top order. The recruitment of former Western Australia batsman Murray Goodwin adds depth to the batting and takes some pressure off the Flower brothers. Fielding remains Zimbabwe's weakness but Hickey is hoping that the recent ITC innovation of naming players who drop catches may lead to an improvement in this area.

As always, Zimbabwe are expected to provide plenty of surprises along the way!

WARWICK TODD'S XI - Manager: Warwick Todd

Former Australian Test batsman Warwick Todd today announced his 16 player squad for the inaugural Warwick Todd World Test Cricket Championship. "I'm really looking forward to this, mate, and as soon as I found out that the ACB were not involved, I couldn't wait to get on board. Well, not once the cheque cleared anyway."

The "Todd Squad" is made up of players who shared a dressing room with Toddy during his career and includes many players who found themselves in trouble with the authorities on more than one occasion. If nothing else, it is expected that the match fines levied on this team will allow the League to make a healthy profit.

The team is:

Warwick "Toddy" Todd (captain) - world record holder for match fines. Announced his retirement during the 1997 Ashes tour but lured back by the opportunity to stick it up the ACB one more time.

Terry "Clem" Alderman - the only player to hit a spectator and get away with it. Tackling technique has improved since then but is not expected to take on Greg Ritchie if he runs on again, as he did in Jamaica in 1994.

David "Boonie" Boon - team drinking coach and dead-set legend. Wears the helmet for protection - mainly from Big Merv's tongue!

Allan "AB" Border - "Captain Grumpy" will be in charge of transport. Who will ever forget him telling "Billy" McDermott that he would be on the next plane home - and a week or so later, he was!

Merv "Swervin" Hughes - resident practical joker, a fast bowler with a heart as big as an ox. Unfortunately, so is the rest of his body these days.

Dean "Deano" Jones - legend, also retired mid-tour, also hates ACB.

Geoff "Swampy" Marsh - controversial selection because he now works for the ACB. However, his dumping from the Test team in '91 and his inevitable dumping as Australian coach will renew anti-ACB feelings.

Greg "Moey" Matthews - will be asked to organise nightclub activities and headwear.

Tim "Maysie" May - president of Players Association and therefore may be useful should any disputes arise. Also owns a pub.

Craig "Billy" McDermott - players can be injured for up to three weeks. "Billy" should take the pressure off all of the other players in this area.

Carl "Mocca" Rackemann - called up to replace "Billy" on West Indies tour in 1994. Did not play a game. A great tourist.

Greg "Fat Cat" Ritchie - in charge of falling off grandstands and running onto the field, in-flight entertainment and the team motto of "What are you lookin' at?"

Mike "Velly" Veletta - controversial selection because he was only ever controversial for being selected in the first place. Now plays for Canberra with Merv and is therefore needed to drive him to the airport.

Mike "Whit" Whitney - we dared Bruce Reid to play and he wouldn't, so "Whit" had to do it!

Graeme "Woody" Wood - recalled by Australian selectors. Then dumped. Then sacked as captain of WA. Hates ACB and WACA.

Tim "Zoey" Zoehrer - a great keeper, in every sense of the word. Also dumped by ACB and WACA selectors.

Many other players were considered but were either unable to get a clearance from the ACB or they could not raise the required registration fee.

Opposing teams should expect a very hard time from this team of battle-hardened veterans, whose experience with the bat, the ball and the sledge are unrivalled by the current crop of so-called "professional" players of the '90s.

Just remember - "You Have Been Warned!" ***

(*** MCG Banner - Boxing Day Test 1997)