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Australia v World XI, Super Test, Sydney, 2nd day

Spinners put Australia in control

The Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran

October 15, 2005

Australia 345 (Hayden 111, Gilchrist 94, Flintoff 4-59) and 66 for 1 lead World XI 190 all out (Sehwag 76, MacGill 4-39, Warne 3-23) by 221 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Shane Warne broke the dangerous Sehwag-Kallis partnership and ended the day with 3 for 23 from 12 overs © Getty Images

Glenn McGrath made a stellar contribution with the new ball, but thereafter, it was the legspin show at the Sydney Cricket Ground as Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill embarrassed the much-vaunted World XI batting line-up to put Australia in complete control of the one-off Super Test. By stumps, Australia had served further notice of their world-champion status, stretching the lead to 221 for the loss of Justin Langer.

For a brief 90-minute period after lunch, Virender Sehwag and the solid Jacques Kallis had threatened to make a match of it, blunting the threat of McGrath and carving up the indifferent bowling of Brett Lee and Shane Watson. But once Ponting turned to Warne and MacGill, the World XI innings imploded, losing the last seven wickets for just 56.

Sehwag's 76, from just 82 balls, was a minor masterpiece, studded with some peachy drives, impudent slashes over point and glorious flicks through midwicket. His 91-run association with Kallis, who contributed a watchful yet classy 44, was the only time when the World XI appeared to have attained parity, but that mirage was rudely shattered by some wonderful spin bowling, and sharp fielding from the close-in cordon.

Virender Sehwag batted with characteristic flair, scoring 76 off just 82 balls © Getty Images

However, it was the peerless McGrath who had once again done the damage early on. After a moment's rashness gifted Lee Graeme Smith's wicket, McGrath winkled out both Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara - for the 14th time in his career - for next to nothing as the World XI reply started to fray at the seams. Both batsmen were deceived by late movement as McGrath proved nearly unplayable under an overcast Sydney sky.

Having had to wait until nearly tea for a bowl, Warne - velvet glove to McGrath's iron fist for the past decade - wasn't about to let go of his moment under the watery sun. Simon Katich's stunning reflexes ended Sehwag's dynamic effort, and though Inzamam-ul-Haq survived a vociferous leg-before appeal, the damning writing was on the wall for the world's finest.

A magnificent loopy legbreak from MacGill had Inzamam frozen off-balance, and when Warne ripped a big turner off Kallis's outside edge, it was time for Andrew Flintoff to reprise his Ashes batting heroics. And though he watched Mark Boucher depart to a poor decision, Flintoff merrily smote MacGill for four huge sixes before an over-exuberant biff went only as far as Lee running in from mid-on.

Andrew Flintoff mopped up the tail and denied Adam Gilchrist his century © Getty Images

An overjoyed MacGill picked the skeleton clean to finish with 4 for 39, as the World XI innings ground to a halt with a whopping 155 in arrears. And it would have been far worse but for Flintoff rediscovering his bowling mojo on an overcast morning.

Australia had resumed at 331 for 6, but armed with the new ball, Flintoff bounded in to trap Gilchrist lbw without addition to his overnight 94. After that, the tail offered as much resistance as Count Dracula confronted by a cross, and a Dravid direct hit from point ended a five-over demolition job.

McGrath was at the receiving end of that perfect throw, and his rueful grin as he walked off should have been warning enough for the World XI that Australia would come back out with all the big guns blazing. With the exception of Sehwag, Kallis and Flintoff, the rest proved as vulnerable as targets in a shooting gallery as Australia once again emphasised that when they're near their very best, few teams - leave alone a motley crew of talented individuals - can come within a Harbour-Bridge span of matching them.

How they were out

Australia

Adam Gilchrist lbw Flintoff 94 (331 for 7)
Trapped in front by one that pitched in line and straightened.

Shane Warne c Kallis b Flintoff 5 (339 for 8)
Ball delivered from very wide of the stumps moved away just enough to take a thick outside edge through to second slip.

Brett Lee c Smith b Flintoff 1 (344 for 9)
Another full delivery nibbled through to slip after deviating a touch off the seam.

Glenn McGrath run out (Dravid) 5 (345 all out)
MacGill plays the last ball of Flintoff's over to point, and sets off. McGrath is slow to respond, and the direct hit catches him inches short.

World XI

Graeme Smith c Gilchrist b Lee 12 (27 for 1)
Went to pull one that reared up, and the top edge was brilliantly taken by Gilchrist running back towards fine leg.

Rahul Dravid c Gilchrist b McGrath 0 (31 for 2)
Undone by an almost unplayable delivery that angled in and then darted away from the batsman to take a thin outside edge.

Brian Lara lbw McGrath 5 (43 for 3)
Pitched on middle stump and would have hit middle after shaping in off the seam. The third umpire let Rudi Koertzen know that there was no inside edge.

Virender Sehwag c Katich b Warne 76 (134 for 4)
Played off the hips straight into the hands of forward short leg.

Inzamam-ul-Haq stumped Gilchrist b MacGill 1 (135 for 5)
Lured forward by the flight, and a fabulous one-handed stumping with Inzi off-balance and his foot in the air.

Jacques Kallis c Hayden b Warne 44 (147 for 6)
Thick outside edge as he went to smother a legbreak that turned sharply, stunning low catch at first slip.

Mark Boucher c Gilchrist b Warne 0 (151 for 7)
Given out caught after the bat brushed against the pad. Poor decision from Rudi Koertzen who didn't bother to ask the third umpire his view.

Andrew Flintoff c Lee b MacGill 35 (183 for 8)
Pitched on leg stump, and the attempt at another huge six went roof-high off the leading edge. Lee ran across from mid-on to take the catch.

Stephen Harmison c Clarke b MacGill 1 (184 for 9)
Has a flash at a legbreak, and it flies off the edge to second slip. Superb catch high to his left.

Muttiah Muralitharan c Langer b MacGill 2 (190 all out)
Had an almighty swipe, but straight up and into the hands of Langer at square leg.

Australia 2nd innings

Justin Langer c Smith b Kallis 22 (30 for 1)
Angled across and Langer played well away from the body to get the edge through to first slip.

Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo.