Aussies triumph, but Super Series future uncertain

Clifford Landers reporting from Australia, Sydney (Monday)- The poor performance by the ICC World XI cricketers produced serious doubt of the Super Series concept after the Australians completed the annihilation scoring a remarkable 210-run victory with over two days to spare in the inaugural Johnnie Walker six-day Super Test which concluded at the Sydney Cricket Grounds yesterday.

As predicted, it was unlikely that the World XI would top the 200 run mark during their 355-run chase despite the boast of possessing the ICC World Best Players, run scorers, record holders and award winners as they were shattered for 144 midway after lunch yesterday with the two Aussie leg-spinners sharing 15 of the 20 opposition wickets in the match between them.

The World XI batting again crumbled to the subordinate Stuart Mcgill who snatched 5 for 44 and followed up his first innings 4 for 39 with a terrific spell to finish with a handsome match-bag of 9 for 83 whilst outperforming the world record holder and senior leg-spinner Shane Warne who finished with 3 for 48 and a match-bag of 6 for 71 stretched his world record tally to 629.

Continuing from their overnight 25 for 2, Rahul Dravid (23) and Brian Lara who scored a swift 36 from 51 balls with seven fours presented some hope with a 38- run third wicket partnership but after their dismissal the World XI's chances evaporated although Andrew Flintoff and top scorer Jaqcues Kallis (39 not out) shared 52 runs for the sixth wicket before Flintoff skied a catch to substitute fielder Brad Hodge at mid-wicket to be 122 for 6. Mcgill snatched three of the four remaining scalps within five balls to complete his career 11th five-wicket haul and 169 wickets from 34 Tests.

The other awkward and humiliating setback by the World XI batsmen was their inability to confront the Aussie bowling beyond the 50 over mark during the five innings of the Super Series ODIs and Test match. They faced just 97.1 combined overs in the Super Test and opened the doors for criticism and compelled the ICC to re-assess the future of this novel concept.

Although the World XI was vulnerable the Aussies deserve total credit, admiration and acclaim for their outstanding regrouping and performance throughout the series as they displayed great determination, courage and all that it takes to be the world champions that they are.

The touring West Indians, South Africans and Sri Lankans should display similar qualities and vigour if they wish to outshine the rejuvenated Australians.

Aussie opener Mathew Hayden who scored 111 and 77 respectively on a difficult pitch for batting was named man-of-the-match while Adam Gilchrist was named man-of-the-Super Series.

A group of critics including spectators and fans displayed and conveyed resentment towards the battered World XI players who are believed to be US$ 100,000 richer after the Super Series.

They yelled varied abuse and told the 'Daily News' that "They are all a bunch of greedy players who came here for the money and prestige and not to perform as a team and will be laughing their way to the bank when they get to their respective homes".

Rohan Munasinghe, a furious Sri Lankan spectator said - "Although Muralitharan and Sangakkara played well, the other so-called champion all-rounders and players were useless. They don't deserve any match fees.

The ICC should at least donate part of their match fees including the two Pakistanis' Shoib Akhtar and Inzamam Ul-Haq's to the Pakistan earthquake victims which is more useful and worthwhile than bloating personal wealth."

AUSTRALIA - 1ST INNINGS 345 
WORLD XI - 1ST INNINGS 190 
AUSTRALIA - 2ND INNINGS 199 

WORLD XI - 2ND INNINGS 

G. Smith b McGrath 			0 
V. Sehwag c Gilchrist b MacGill 		7 
R. Dravid c Hayden b Warne 		23 
B. Lara c Gilchrist b Warne		36 
J. Kallis not out 			39 
Inzamam-ul-Haq lbw b Lee 		0 
A. Flintoff c Hodge (sub) b MacGill 	15 
M. Boucher c Hayden b Warne 		17 
D. Vettori c Ponting b MacGill 		0 
S. Harmison lbw b MacGill 		0 
M. Muralitharan stpd Gilchrist b MacGill 	0 

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-2, NB-4) 		7 

TOTAL (all out, 50 overs) 		144 

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-0, 2-18, 3-56, 4-69, 5-70, 6-122, 
		7-143, 8-144, 9-144, 10-144 

BOWLING: McGrath 6-3-8-1, Lee 10-2-42-1 (4nb), 
	Warne 19-4-48-3, MacGill 15-4-43-5 
	Man-of-the-match: Matthew Hayden (AUS)