Big boys draw a blank

The galaxy's brightest stars were outshone by their lesser lights in an opening match played in a stadium that felt like a cavern. The occasion promised more than the world and it demanded a bulging venue, but a crowd of only 18,435 had the unfortunate effect of dragging down the intensity of an experience that could be rated flat at best.

Fine displays were offered without a dominating performance as batsmen's shots echoed through the rows of empty seats. For much of the game the vibe was comparable to a neutral VB Series preliminary match, but even those affairs boast patriotic passion.

One series has already lived up to overblown hype this year and it will be difficult for a second to match it. Games two and three on Friday and Sunday must improve for the administrative exercise to be a success, after a fresh-looking Australia eased to a 93-run victory despite struggling with middle-order batting and catching under the low lights.

Waiting for a globe-trotting performance from one of the top bills, the impressive quality came instead from lower down the pecking order. Kumar Sangakkara stood at the top of an envious list and remained there through the early mayhem as the next five failed to earn double figures. Small and calm, he hit sweetly as Virender Sehwag, Jacques Kallis, Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid and Kevin Pietersen pushed too hard before they had adjusted to a glowing pitch.

As the batsmen hurried, the Australians waited for chances to dismiss the superstars. Only Andrew Flintoff remained an obstacle as five wickets fell for 82 and seven for 104. Enjoying their return home to flat wickets and an absence of reverse-swing, Australia restricted any late fireworks in a one-sided contest and dominated as they had before the Ashes.

As Shoaib Akhtar sprinted in to open the series and Muttiah Muralitharan provided early problems for Australia the hope was for a day of sustained quality. The bowling standard remained high and the honours were stolen by Daniel Vettori, a player who, like New Zealand, is often overlooked.

Vettori has been the front man of his home band for almost ten years, but he was expected to play a small support role for the world. Selected ahead of Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble and Danish Kaneria, Vettori's left-arm has a habit of mesmerising Australians, and he did it again with 4 for 33 from 10 cleverly flighted overs.

The low pitch suited the World XI spinners and for seven overs Vettori bowled in tandem with Muralitharan, who took two wickets and was also responsible for Australia blowing a rattling start of almost a run-a-ball. The slide began after Ricky Ponting was dismissed in the 23rd over. The total of 255 for 8 seemed under-par to begin with, but soon proved overwhelming for the opposition. Glenn McGrath delivered a brilliant opening spell of 2 for 13 from seven overs and Shane Watson, the Man of the Match, combined three wickets with a smart run out.

Australia should be pleased with their victory over a team of such quality and it supported Ponting's claims that the side was functioning well. More fine-tuning is needed - three simple chances were spilled in the field and the middle-order failed to turn good starts into half-centuries. But the effort of Simon Katich as first-choice opener, and the lower-order's efficient rearguard action were as pleasing as all the bowlers making an impact.

The game demonstrated Australia's greater motivation against an outfit of exhibitionists and it turned the game into a mis-match. If the remainder of the series is to become superlative instead of merely a sideshow, big things are needed from the World XI's biggest boys.