Brad Hodge top-scored with 92, and Michael Klinger chipped in with 62 as Victoria made a bright start in pursuit of 282 for victory. But with the exception of

David Hussey, who made 32, none of the other batsmen could make a decisive contribution as the chase floundered. Muttiah Muralitharan ended Hodge's marvellous innings on his way to figures of 2 for 54, and there were two wickets apiece for Shoaib Akhtar -- the pick of the bowlers, in a fiery spell of 2 for 29 -- and Jacques Kallis as the World XI staved off embarrassment.

That had certainly been on the cards when Cameron White, seen by many as Shane Warne's leg-spin successor for Australia, bowled Shahid Afridi to end an 18-run cameo, leaving the World XI reeling at 131 for 6. But Dravid added 64 with Chris Gayle and 53 with Pollock as the Victorian bowling was taken apart in the final overs.

There was no hint of the drama to come as Virender Sehwag and Kumar Sangakkara added 63 for the first wicket. But a probing spell from Shane Harwood changed the complexion of the game, with Brian Lara caught flicking one to square leg -- and Kevin Pietersen, caught behind going for a big one, both falling cheaply.

Dravid and Gayle started the riposte, taking the total into the realms of respectability before Rudi Koertzen gave Gayle out stumped off the bowling of White.

Fortunately for the world's finest, Pollock provided a devastating sting in the tail. After that, it was thebowlers who proved their mettle, despite Hodge's announcement of intent to the Australian selectors.