Australia Beats World XI by 156 Runs, Wins Super Series 3-0

Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Australia beat a World XI by 156 runs in Melbourne today to complete a 3-0 whitewash in cricket's first- ever Super Series of one-day matches.

Home captain Ricky Ponting made 68, Michael Hussey 75 not out and Shane Watson 66 not out as Australia totaled 293-5 in its 50 overs. In reply, the World XI were dismissed for 137, including 21 from England's Andrew Flintoff.

Flintoff, a hero of England's Ashes series victory over Australia last month, batted after being taken to hospital for X- rays on his right wrist, which was injured as he attempted a return catch off Ponting. Virender Sehwag top-scored for the World XI with 37 as Brett Lee took 4-30 and man of the match Watson 4- 39.

``The way that we've gone about our cricket this week has been first class,'' Ponting said on Sky Sports afterwards. ``All the batters have scored a lot of runs and the bowlers have done all that's been asked of them.''

Hussey and Watson joined for an unbeaten stand of 145 runs to combat a middle-order slump and turn the match in Australia's favor.

Australia is seeking to reassert its position as cricket's dominant nation after losing the Ashes to England for the first time since 1987. There now follows a six-day Super Series Test in Sydney starting Oct. 14 and Australia will be seeking to bounce back from the Test series setback in England. ``I know the guys are very keen to rectify that,'' Ponting added.

Flintoff suffered bruising and swelling to his wrist, though it is not serious and he will be available for the Test, Web site Cricinfo reported.

Two days ago Adam Gilchrist hit the fastest one-day international century by an Australian to spearhead the home side to a 55-run victory and a 2-0 lead. Australia won the first match by 93 runs on Oct. 5.

The series was devised by the International Cricket Council, the sport's ruling body, two years ago and pits the No. 1 team against the best of the rest. At the time, Australia had won a record 16 straight Tests and secured back-to-back World Cups. Performances will count toward players' career records.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Peter-Joseph Hegarty in London phegarty@bloomberg.net