Cricket - Tsunami Appeal

World XI captain Ricky Ponting stroked a superb 115 to lead his side to a comprehensive 112-run win over Asia in yesterday's charity match for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

New Zealand all rounder Chris Cairns smashed 69 from 47 balls and West Indies captain Brian Lara scored an effortless 52 for the World XI. Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took three wickets for 59 for Asia.

In reply to the World XI's 344 for eight, Asia scored 232 all out in 39.5 overs.

India batsman Rahul Dravid was unbeaten on 75 for Asia and his compatriot Virender Sehwag hit an aggressive 45 from 39 balls at the top of the order.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is hoping the match, played before a sell-out crowd of 70,101 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, will raise millions of dollars for the tsunami appeal.

Watched by an estimated global television audience of one billion, it was the first of a two-game series. A second match will be staged on the subcontinent in either February or March.

Bangladesh made history by claiming their first test victory at the 35th attempt yesterday, crushing Zimbabwe by 226 runs. Bangladesh became the world's 10th test team when granted test status in 2000 but have struggled for respectability ever since. Outside the stadium, thousands of people ran onto the streets, beating drums and waving flags.