team-of-the-month

An old favourite returns in our hypothetical XI, which is captained by an Irish all-rounder, remains in awe of a South African batsman, can't hide from a West Indian stalwart, expects more from an Indian seamer - and finds time for a Champions League Twenty20 centurion.

Our Team of the Month is leaning heavily towards the eastern side of the world (looking at a flat map, obviously) though there is nary an India bowler to be found. Also obviously.

Apologies for the delay in transmission, but the World Twenty20 has been the dominant factor at Cricket365 Towers lately. But now, let's look back at the performances in September and pick a team of stars.

Graeme Smith makes up the numbers at the top of the knock, Darren Bravo impresses through the middle order, Ravichandran turns the tables on Harbhajan Singh and Pat Cummins and Vernon Philander announce their arrival on the Test stage.

Michael Clarke leads a pack lined with Aussies and void of Englishmen, while Pakistan enjoy a find in Aizaz Cheema and Tino Mawoyo represents the minnows.

There was a lot of cricket on the go this month, with October's XI pretty representative of the successful teams. No surpise, then, that India stars line the ranks.