Cricket: World XI bounce back but face uphill battle

SYDNEY - The much-maligned World XI roared to life yesterday but still faced a mammoth task to avoid defeat against Australia in the six-day Super Series test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Chasing 355 for victory, the all-star team were 25-2 when stumps were called 33 overs early because of bad light with Rahul Dravid unbeaten on 17 and Brian Lara yet to score.

The World showed plenty of fighting spirit on a third day blighted by delays for bad light as Australia lost 9-47 in their second innings to collapse from 152-1 to be all out for 199.

The fightback came via the brilliant bowling of Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who took 3-55 and English pace duo Andrew Flintoff, 3-48, and Steve Harmison, 3-41.

Reinvigorated opener Matthew Hayden and captain Ricky Ponting looked to be piloting Australia to an untouchable position with a 122-run partnership for the third wicket. But Harmison came on and bowled Hayden for 77 with a slower ball and then knocked back the leg stump of Michael Clarke for 5 before lunch.

Flintoff picked up Ponting for 54 after the break and the Australian side never recovered with Muralitharan weaving a spell over the middle order.

However, the World XI's reply started disastrously in the overcast conditions with skipper Graeme Smith clean bowled for 0 in the first over by Glenn McGrath.

McGrath was pleased for the Australian pace attack to enjoy some early success against Smith before South Africa's three-test tour this summer.

Speedster Brett Lee removed the South African skipper for 12 in the first innings.

McGrath was replaced after one over with Ponting opting to bowl his spinners rather than deal with another delay for bad light.

Indian opener Virender Sehwag was caught behind for 7 trying to cut spinner Stuart MacGill as the World slipped to 18-2.

- AAP