The ICC Super Series, 2005-06

At Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, October 9, 2005 (day/night). Australia won by 156 runs. Toss: Australia.

Shane Watson had made no secret of his admiration for Flintoff, and his ambition to fill a similar position for Australia, and he produced an all-round performance worthy of his role model. He put on 145 with Hussey, an Australian one-day record for the sixth wicket, before running out Sehwag and then claiming four of the last six wickets. Flintoff himself had been restricted to 4.2 overs after being struck above the wrist by a return drive from Ponting: an X-ray showed no break. But, for the third time in five days, the cause was lost by the time he emerged to bat. He was required even sooner than expected, at 27 for four, with the immediate task of denying Lee a hattrick after Kallis and Lara, both badly out of form, were undone in a rapid new-ball spell. As in the first match, the World XI failed to capitalise on some fine slow bowling in mid-innings by Muralitharan and Vettori. The back-up spin of Gayle and Sehwag was less effective, and Hussey, in particular, grew in confidence, becoming the first batsman to hit the dome's roof: he was not amused when the umpire signalled dead ball instead of six.

Man of the Match: S. R. Watson. Attendance: 31,994.

Man of the Series: A. C. Gilchrist.