New Delhi: The Australians have once again proved that the world is not enough for them.
At stumps on the first day of the six-day test match against the star studded World XI, the Kangaroos had reached a respectable 331 for the loss of 6 wickets.
Adam Gilchrist on 94 and Shane Wane on one were at the crease when bad light stopped play with five more over to be bowled.
World XI led by Graeme Smith, the youngest player in the team, have a lot to prove in the six-day test match against the Australians.
After a lack lustre performance in the three match one-day series, the star studded World XI was expected to put up a stiff fight.
They began the match, being played on the Sydney Cricket Ground, on a bright note when Steve Harmison bowled Justin Langer for naught.
But that proved to be a false alarm as the dismissal brought Aussie captain Ricky Ponting to the crease
He along with Mathew Hayden put up a spectacular display of aggressive batting and added 73 for the second wicket.
Finally Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff had the Aussie captain caught on 46 by Jacques Kallis who dived low to his right at the second slip to take the catch.
Hayden continued his assault on the World XI bowlers dispatching them with disdain to all corners of the park to reach his century.
The Aussies suffered a mini collapse when Michale Clarke, who made 39, and Simon Katich departed without scoring in the space of nine runs.
Vice captain Adam Gilchrist who was the next man in made sure that there were no further alarms for the hosts.
Carrying on his fine form from the one-day series, Gilly along with Hayden took the battle to the opposing camp, which had Smith scratching his head in despair.
The bowlers proved ineffective to stop the marauding duo of Hayden and Gilchrist until Muralitharan had Hayden caught by Kallis to break the 97 run partnership.
Hayden, who fell when the score was 260, faced 180 for his 111 and hit 13 fours.
Shane Watson scored a scratchy 24 before becoming the second victim of Muralitharan.
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