Fleming crushes World XI with a 54-ball century

Brilliant hitting by Stephen Fleming took New Zealand to a resounding victory by nine wickets over the FICA World XI at Jade Stadium in Christchurch with more than 37 overs to spare. Fleming went on a one-man wrecking mission as he raced to a century off 54 balls, with his last 50 runs coming in a mere 19 deliveries. He struck seven sixes off Muttiah Muralitharan to bring up New Zealand's 100 in only the 12th over.

Fleming saw plenty of Muralitharan during his innings of 274 in the last Test series played between the two countries in 2003. He showed the spinner no mercy, playing a large part in Muralitharan's figures of none for 57 in 3.1 overs.

Fleming's batting reached the heights it did during his innings of 134 against South Africa in the 2003 World Cup. He reached his century with nine sixes and nine fours and hit one more four before holing out to Craig Spearman for 106. Such was his dominance that Nathan Astle seemed a passenger with his unbeaten 36, which came at almost a run a ball.

The damage was done earlier when Daryl Tuffey and Kyle Mills scythed through the World XI top order after Shane Warne had chosen to bat first. Both Tuffey and Mills took two wickets apiece as the World XI slumped to 20 for 4. But Jonty Rhodes, out of cricket since September 2003, and Graeme Hick, who hadn't played since the end of the English season, effected a mini-recovery. They added 79 runs, with Rhodes scoring 36 and Hick making 44. Warne hit out for 26 as well, but after the fast bowlers did the damage at the top, Daniel Vettori swept through the lower order to take 3 for 33 to dismiss the World XI for 158 in 39.3 overs.

Tuffey took 2 for 25 and Mills 2 for 30. There was a special cheer when Jeff Wilson, a double international, took Hick's wicket to end with 1 for 27 off seven overs, his first wicket at this level since 1993.