Boosted by a hurricane century from captain Ricky Ponting, an ICC World XI scored 344 for eight in 50 overs against an Asian XI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Monday.

Besides Ponting's 115 (102 balls, 8x4s, 3x6s), Chris Cairns (69, 47 balls, 8x4s, 2x6s) and Brian Lara (52, 77 balls, 3x4s) cracked fine half-centuries to propel the World XI total.

Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was the most successful Asian XI bowler with three wickets, while Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan bagged two scalps each.

The day-night match is being played to raise funds for the victims of the tsunami disaster that killed over 150,000 people when it struck South and Southeast Asia Dec 26.

Brief scores:

ICC World XI: 344 for eight in 50 overs (Ricky Ponting 115, Chris Cairns 69, Brian Lara 52, Muttiah Muralitharan 3 for 58)