Cricket: Australia wrap up World Series

Australia A 226; Australia 229-4

Australia win by six wickets The World Series Cup was laid to rest in Melbourne yesterday when Australia beat their A side in the second final to take a 2-0 lead and do away with the need for Thursday's decider Australia reached their target with one over to spare and Steve Waugh, named man of the finals, guided the seniors home with an unbeaten 56 in 64 balls. There were also half-centuries for the captain, Mark Taylor, and his opening partner, Michael Slater.

Australia A's total was founded upon a second-wicket partndership of 99 between Greg Blewett (64) and his captain, Damien Martyn (58). However, once that stand had been broken by Shane Warne, the A side lost its way and Damien Fleming returned impressivefigures of 4 for 28 from his 10 overs.

(Australia A won toss)

AUSTRALIA A G S Blewett c Taylor b McGrath 64

M L Hayden c Slater b Fleming 4

*D R Martyn lbw b Warne 58

M G Bevan c Healy b McGrath 19

J L Langer c Healy b McGrath 14

R T Ponting c M E Waugh b Fleming 13

P Emery b Boon 10

G R Robertson b Fleming 4

J Angel not out 15

G Rowell c Slater b McDermott 8

S P George b Fleming 2

Extras (lb10 w4 nb1) 15

Total (49.4 overs) 226

Fall: 1-12 2-111 3-144 4-158 5-174 6-191 7-193 8-197 9-218.

Bowling: McDermott 10-1-38-1; Fleming 9.4-1-28-4; McGrath 10-0-41-3; Warne 10-0-55-1; Law 2-0-21-0; M E Waugh 3-0-20-0; Boon 5-0-13-1.

AUSTRALIA *M A Taylor c Langer b Blewett 50

M J Slater run out 56

M E Waugh lbw Blewett 3

D C Boon c Martyn b Angel 27

S R Waugh not out 56

S G Law not out 27

Extras (lb8 w1 nb1) 10

Total (for 4, 49 overs) 229

Fall: 1-107 2-111 3-116 4-172.

Did not bat: I A Healy, S K Warne, C J McDermott, D W Fleming, G D McGrath.

Bowling: Angel 10-0-55-1 (nb1); Rowell 10-1-40-0; George 8-0-34-0; Blewett 10-1-44-2; Robertson 10-0-40-0; Martyn 1-0-8-0 (w1).

Umpires: S Randell and D Hair.

Australia win best-of-three series 2-0