The ICC Super Series, 2005-06

At Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, October 7, 2005 (day/night). Australia won by 55 runs. Toss: Australia. One-day international debut: S. R. Clark.

For a captivating hour or so, as Gayle and Sangakkara tore into some inexperienced bowling, the World XI seemed capable of going where no side had gone by successfully chasing as many as 329 to win. (New Zealand would set a new record by overhauling 331 two months later.) But Gayle fell attempting one huge drive too many, and three wickets fell for six runs soon afterwards, to leave Dravid and Flintoff rebuilding instead of maintaining the brisk tempo. Only 30 runs came between the 20th and 30th overs, and Pietersen was forced to bat with a runner after suffering a bad attack of cramp in the field. The heavy outfield was blamed. In fact, the slow surface - a necessity for Australian Rules football matches at the dome - meant that Australia's innings was even more impressive than it looked on paper. They could not have paced it any better: Gilchrist completed his country's fastest one-day hundred from 73 balls - five quicker than the previous record which he shared with Allan Border - then Ponting and Martyn manoeuvred the ball around some ageing fielders before late hitting brought 88 in the final ten overs.

Man of the Match: A. C. Gilchrist. Attendance: 29,371.