Associated Press

Christchurch, January 22:

Stephen Fleming smashed a century from 54 balls as New Zealand beat a makeshift World XI by nine wickets in an unofficial one-day charity cricket match at Jade Stadium on Saturday.

Fleming hit nine sixes and 10 fours in an innings of 106, leading New Zealand past the World XI’s 158 in only 16.1 overs. Fleming’s total innings lasted 57 balls and he contributed all but 54 runs of New Zealand’s total of 160/1. His partner Nathan Astle batted throughout the innings for 36 and Chris Cairns appeared briefly to score eight.

Fleming took particular toll of the World XI’s twin attractions, spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. Murali conceded 57 runs in 3.1 overs and Warne gave up 26 from three overs. The New Zealand Government pledged $14 per run scored in the three match series, $695 for every four and $3,475 for every six to Asian tsunami relief operations.

The match also saw the return to international cricket of all-rounder Jeff Wilson, who made his first appearance for New Zealand since his debut as a teenager 12 years ago. Spinner Daniel Vettori was the most successful of New Zealand’s bowlers, taking 3-33, while Kyle Mills and Daryl Tuffey each claimed three wickets. Batting first the World XI slumped to 20-4 before Graeme Hick and Jonty Rhodes strengthened their innings. Hick made 44 and Rhodes 36. They collapsed again to 113-8 before Warne and Chaminda Vaas combined to add 45 for the ninth wicket.