Andrew Flintoff will pack his bat, pads and autograph book after being confirmed as one of three England players selected for the Johnnie Walker Super Series against Australia, writes Myles Hodgson.

The England all-rounder has been named in the ICC World XI squads for the sixday Test in Sydney from October 14-19 and the three one-day matches at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on October 5, 7 and 9.

He will line up alongside the likes of Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan and Shoaib Akhtar, and is relishing the prospect.

Flintoff is joined in the Test squad by England fast bowler Steve Harmison, while Kevin Pietersen's astonishing start to his international career is recognised by inclusion in the one-day squad.

"At the end of this summer it's going to be great going to Australia and sharing a dressing room with some of the best players in the world," enthused Flintoff, who broke into the world's top ten bowlers for the first time last week.

"I might even get the chance to bat with Tendulkar, which would be fantastic.

"I'm going to be like a kid in a sweet shop. I'll be taking my autograph book and I won't quite know where to put myself.

"It's great when I think back two years because I was still trying to play for England never mind even being thought about for a World XI side."

He will be joined in both squads by players he knows well including Sri Lankan spinner Muralitharan, who played alongside Flintoff for Lancashire.

Flintoff admitted: "It's very flattering to be included and I've got the chance to mix with some of the best players in the world.

" When Australia play against the World side they'll be up for it trying to show everybody how good they are and I'm sure the World XI will be the same - they'll want to beat Australia."

Flintoff could also have been joined on the trip by England captain Michael Vaughan, who was under consideration for the Test side.

But Vaughan was overlooked as the selectors instead opted for South Africa's Graeme Smith as captain. Smith's compatriot, Shaun Pollock, will lead the one-day line-up.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who chaired the Johnnie Walker selection panel, said: "This is the first time for decades that the greatest players from the rest of the world have combined their talents, and I expect them to put Australia under real pressure.

"Australia will be looking to re-group after the intensity of the Ashes series in England, but I don't think the cricket will be any easier for them against these World XI sides."

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed added: "There are no weak links in either of these squads; everywhere you look there is an outstanding player whose talent enriches the game."

ICC World XI Test squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Steve Harmison, Shoaib Akhtar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Daniel Vettori.

ICC World XI ODI squad: Shaun Pollock (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Brian Lara, Kevin Pietersen, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Flintoff, Kumar Sangakkara, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Makhaya Ntini, Muttiah Muralitharan, Daniel Vettori.