Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Australia were a dominant force in world cricket. It was decided that the world’s best players would be included in a team to challenge them.

Five were from South Africa, three each were from England and Pakistan, two each were from India, Sri Lanka and The West Indies, and one was from New Zealand. The roster included the likes of Andrew Flintoff, Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara.

1st ODI

After a warm-up match victory against state team Victoria, the World XI took to the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for an ODI against Australia.

Australia won the toss and decided to bat. The started well as openers Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich formed an 80-run partnership in just 14 overs.

The captain Ricky Ponting, and Katich progressed the score to 128-1 in the twenty-third over before further wickets fell at regular intervals. Spin bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori took six wickets combined to restrict Australia to 255-8.

In reply, the World XI struggled, losing five of their top six batsmen for single figures to stumble to 82-5. Kumar Sangakkara made 65 but Australia eventually bowled out the World XI for just 162 runs to win by 93 runs.

A largely uneventful opening game was without major individual contributions. It was, however, a sign of things to come for the World XI side.

2nd ODI

Again, Australia won the toss and Ricky Ponting elected to bat first. The side amassed a huge total of 328 runs from their 50 overs. With the side losing just four wickets, notable contributions were made by Adam Gilchrist (103), Ricky Ponting (66), Damien Martyn (54) and Simon Katich (47).

The World XI innings started promisingly. Chris Gayle scored a half-century from just 48 balls as the World XI reached 125 in the 17th over.

However, after Gayle’s dismissal, they consistently lost men due to poor running between the wickets and a few soft dismissals. The World XI ended up being skittled out for 273, meaning Australia won by 55 runs in the second ODI.

3rd ODI

It was a hat-trick for Ricky Ponting as Australia once again won the toss and elected to set a total for the World XI to chase. The home side were reduced to 15-1 after Makhaya Ntini trapped Michael Clarke lbw. Adam Gilchrist followed seven overs later after a brisk 32 runs.

However, Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn put on 85 for the next wicket. Ponting was out for a well-made 68, caught by Brian Lara off the bowling of Muttiah Muralitharan.

Lower-order runs from Mike Hussey (75) and Shane Watson (66) propelled Australia to 293-5 from their fifty overs.

In the run chase, the World XI capitulated to 137 all out inside 28 overs. Only Virender Sehwag showed resistance before he was run-out by Watson.

Watson came away from the match with 4-39, in addition to his runs and run-out, as Australia triumphed by 156 runs.

Super Test

The tourists looked to leave Australia with pride after large defeats in the ODIs. The Super Test was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground the week following, and the Australians won the toss and batted.

The World XI got off to a dream start as Steve Harmison bowled Justin Langer with the first ball of the match. However, fellow opener Matthew Hayden scored 111 and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist smashed four sixes on his way to 94. The home side were dismissed for 345 as Andrew Flintoff took four wickets.

The combined XI were only able to post a score of 190 in reply thanks to seven wickets from leg-spinners Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill. Opener, Virender Sehwag scored 76 and Jacques Kallis contributed with 44.

Australia were then bowled out for 199, slumping from 152-1. However, it seemed unlikely that the tourists would be able to chase down a target of 355.

They failed again and were all-out for 144, Stuart MacGill finishing with impressive figures of 5-43.

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