ICC World XI Spun Out

Australia have wrapped up the Super Test by 210 runs, before tea on the fourth day.

The Australian leg spin twins Stuart MacGill 5/43 and Shane Warne 3/48 were the chief destroyers, with Jacques Kallis top scoring with the bat in contributing 39 not out in what was yet another disappointing batting effort by the ICC World XI. They were only able to last 50 overs, despite having one of the greatest batting line-ups in the history of Test cricket.

The World XI started the day on 25/2 with the not out batsman being Rahul Dravid on 17 not out and Brian Lara on 0. It was hoped that Dravid as one of the greatest players of spin in the world, would be able to hold up an end, while some of the great stroke players in the World XI might finally find some overdue form.

It started off to plan with Lara finding the middle of the bat on a number of occasions, while Dravid was living up to his sobriquet of the ‘wall’ with some solid defence. They shared a useful partnership for the third wicket, but the introduction of Shane Warne soon produced a wicket. First he had Dravid caught at first slip by Matthew Hayden for 23, and then he claimed the prized scalp of Brian Lara for 36. Lara had seemingly found the form that had eluded him thus far on the tour, stroking nine fours in a little cameo of an innings that will hopefully set him on his way with the West Indies only 10 days away from their first test against Australia.

Brett Lee then returned to the bowling crease and trapped Inzamam-ul-Haq lbw for a duck, but it was the leg spinners sharing the spoils.

Warne dismissed a stubborn Mark Boucher, but Stuart MacGill claimed the best figures after dismissing the dangerous Andrew Flintoff. MacGill then wrapped up the match by taking the last three wickets to fall. Jacques Kallis was left 39 not out with his immaculate defence being a feature of his innings.

The Australians have proved in this match and the three ODI matches that they are anything but a spent force in world cricket.

Score Summary

Australia 345
Matthew Hayden 111, Adam Gilchrist 94
Andrew Flintoff 4/59, Muttiah Muralitharan 2/102

ICC World XI 190
Virender Sehwag 76, Jacques Kallis 44
Stuart Macgill 4/39, Shane Warne 3/23

Australia 199
Matthew Hayden 77, Ricky Ponting 54
Stephen Harmison 3/41, Andrew Flintioff 3/48

ICC World XI 144
Jacques Kallis 39*, Brian Lara 36
Stuart Macgill 5/43, Shane Warne 3/48

Australia won by 210 runs.

Australia win the one match series 1-0
Cricket Web Man of the Match: Matthew Hayden