Afro-Asia Challenge

It came as a great surprise when I first heard that the relevent bodies had decided to introduce an annual series between an African XI and an Asian XI. I mean, this really is a super idea(although the motive behind it was quite obviously money). Asia and Africa are pretty much the only two continents who have a few cricketing nations, thus creating a great stage for rivalry. I cannot understand the organizers though, who in their right mind would have two consecutive matches at Kingsmead? I do understand the need to only have 2 cities as they do not want too much travel for the players, but surely the two consecutive matches should have been played at the Wanderers and at Centuring, the two grounds being only an hours drive away. Anyway, what's done's done, so there is no use complaining about it, rather I will eagerly anticipate the great cricket on display.
Another huge positive is that Greame Smith's two suspended matches will be used up in this friendly competiton instead of an important ODI. In his place, Shaun Pollock will captain the team for the first two matches. Two notible admissions from the African squad are Makhaya Ntini and Justin Kemp who both would surely have added great excitement to the team. On the Asian side, South African crowds will certainly miss the great talents of Sachin Tendulkar.
The full team lists are as follows:

AFRICA XI

Graeme Smith (captain)
Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
Boeta Dippenaar (South Africa)
AB de Villiers (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Ashwell Prince (South Africa)
Albie Morkel (South Africa)
Mark Boucher (South Africa)
MondeZondeki (South Africa)
Jacques Rudolph (South Africa)
Nicky Boje (South Africa)
Justin Ontong (South Africa)
Steve Tikolo (Kenya)
Collins Obuya (Kenya)
Thomas Odoyo (Kenya)
Heath Streak (Zimbabwe)
Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe)
Andy Blignaut (Zimbabwe)
Dale Steyn (South Africa)

Management

Manager: Goolam Rajah

Coach: Mickey Arthur

Physiotherapist: Shane Jabaar

Fitness Trainer: Adrian le Roux

ASIA XI

Inzamam Ul-Haq (captain)
Rahul Dravid (vice-captain)(India)
Virender Sehwag (India)
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Yousuf Youhana (Pakistan)
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Abdul Razzak (Pakistan)
Muttiah Muralidharan (Sri Lanka)
Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
Naveed-ul-Hasan (Pakistan)
Irfan Pathan (India)
Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh)
Anil Kumble (India)
Shoaib Akhter (Pakistan)

Players on stand-by:

Marvan Attapattu (Sri Lanka)
Mashrafee bin Morteza (Bangladesh)
Khaled Masud (Bangladesh)

Management

Manager: Goolam Rajah Manager:Sultan Rana (Dev.Manager–ACC)

Coach: Mickey Arthur Coach:Rumesh Ratnayake (Dev.Officer-ACC)