Astle stars but World XI win

Shane Warne's FICA World XI levelled their three-match series against New Zealand at one match apiece with a tense three-wicket win at Wellington. Man of the match Nathan Astle starred with a century, but the combined efforts of the World XI batsmen were sufficient to overhaul NZ's total of 256.

Sending New Zealand in after the World XI's woeful batting performance in the first match, the visitors got off to a good start with Vaas removing Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming, who had scored a lightning century in the previous game. Nathan Astle looked to find form ahead of the return ODI series against Australia though, and forced Vaas out of the attack with a succession of boundaries. He was ably supported by Matthew Sinclair as the pair pushed the total past 100.

After racing along at more than five runs per over in the initial stages, Lance Klusener slowed New Zealand's advance with the wickets of Sinclair (30) and the dangerous Cairns (9). Warne delayed the introduction of Muralitharan such that he would bowl out the final overs in tandem with Warne, and Murali snared Marshall for only 6 shortly after being brought on. Craig MacMillan revived a stuttering innings, doing his bit for charity with three sixes against the spinners in a rapid 33, before being snared by a third spinner in Jayasuriya.

While Astle continued steadily towards a ton to push NZ over 200, Andy Bichel chipped in with three wickets. McCullum fell for a duck, and dual international Jeff Wilson managed a six and a four before exiting on 11. Astle was dismissed eventually for a well-made 109 from 124 deliveries, including nine fours and a six. Daniel Vettori ensured New Zealand posted a competitive total however, guiding his side through the final overs with 26* from 21 balls. Bichel finished the best of the bowlers with 3/56, while Klusener's seven overs yielded 2/35.

The World XI's new-look opening combination of Elliot and former England opener Nick Knight proved more successful than the previous incarnation, getting the run-chase off to a good start. Knight demonstrated his trademark charge against the fast bowlers on more than a few occasions in making 29, before he was first out with the score on 65. Jayasuriya was able to manage only one boundary before holing out to point on 4, leaving Elliot and Hick to put the World XI back on track.

Elliot ensured the World XI remained in control with a well-paced half-century, but he fell shortly afterward to the wiles of batting star Astle, out for a 57 which included three sixes. Hick again fell after a solid start, trapped in front by Vettori on 24. From 4-122, New Zealand looked to regain control, and were well on top by the time Rhodes (16) and Klusener (4) were dismissed. Rhodes was runout attempting a dicey third run, while Klusener fell to Wilson, courtesy of a good catch off his own bowling. at 6-172, NZ appeared to be well on their way to securing the series, but a pivotal stand between Sangakkara and Bichel changed that.

Coming together with over 80 runs needed at around a run a ball, it required a few well-timed hits over the fence to bring the World XI back into the game. Bichel and Sangakkara managed two sixes apiece to significantly reduce the equation, and comfortably knocked around New Zealand's medium-pacers to remain on top. Sangakkara fell to a leading edge shortly after his half-century, becomng Tuffey's only victim on 52. By that stage, 35 runs were still required, but Chaminda Vaas demonstrated his allround talents with three fours and a six to see the World XI home with 2.1 overs to spare. Bichel finished with a critical 37* from 38 balls. The three-match series will head into a decider at Hamilton, and with more than NZ$750,000 already raised for the tsunami disaster relief fund, the target of $1m is likely to be reached then.

Score Summary:

NEW ZEALAND 9 for 256 from 50 overs
NJ Astle 109 (124); AJ Bichel 3/56 (10), L Klusener 2/35 (7)

FICA World XI 7 for 257 from 47.5 overs
MTG Elliot 57 (67), KC Sangakkara 52 (60); NJ Astle 1/24 (5)

Result: FICA World XI win by three wickets
Series: Three-match series level 1-1

Man of the Match: NJ Astle (109 and 1/24)

Posted by Adam