The ICC Super Series 2005 was a cricket series held in Australia during October 2005, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It was played between Australia, the world's top-ranked side at the time, and a World XI team of players selected from other countries. The series consisted of three One Day Internationals and one Test match. Australia won all four matches. The matches attracted small crowds and were not competitive, in part because the World XI had only one warm-up game to gel as a team. The Super Series concept had been controversial from its first proposal. The ICC's intention was to showcase the world's best players and provide a close contest with Australia, who had dominated international cricket for several years. However, many fans and experts dismissed the Super Series as a gimmick, comparing it unfavourably with the 2005 Ashes Series. The ICC had intended to hold a Super Series every four years, but the concept was not repeated. Background In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Australian cricket side had become completely dominant in world cricket, and had a reputation of being unbeatable. In this climate, the concept of gathering the world's best players into one team to challenge them was born, and the ICC Super Series was developed. Fixtures Warm-up match: Junction Oval, Melbourne, VIC World XI vs. Victoria – 2 October One Day Internationals: Telstra Dome, Melbourne, VIC Game 1 – 5 October Game 2 – 7 October Game 3 – 9 October Super Test: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, NSW 14 to 19 October Teams Australian selections The Australian squads were announced on 20 September, and the axe fell on the lacklustre performers on the team during the recent Ashes series. Damien Martyn was dropped from the Test side in favour of Brad Hodge but retained his one-day spot. Stuart MacGill and Shane Watson, who toured England but did not play in any of the Ashes Tests, were included in the lineup. Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz were not included in the Test squad or the ODI squad, while James Hopes received a surprise call-up for the ODI side following his 146 in a first-class game for Australia A on their tour of Pakistan in September 2005. World XI Selectors The World XI selectors named a shortlist, from which the 11 Test players were named. The selection panel comprised: Sunil Gavaskar of India (chairman)