Sydney: Former Australian batting star Mark Waugh cracked a century to lead a Bradman XI to a six-wicket victory over England in a One-day game on Wednesday.

Defying poor light and playing through mist, Waugh crafted an unbeaten 108 to lead the Bradman XI to 285 for four wickets in 46.3 overs in reply to England's 279 for eight wickets off its 50 overs.

Delighting an enthusiastic country crowd, Waugh brought up his century with a six over extra cover.

He faced only 92 balls and hit four sixes and seven fours in his match-winning exhibition.

In near darkness, Waugh wrapped up the festival match with another six.

Waugh, batting down the order, starred after former Test opener Michael Slater lasted just three balls before he was bowled by Matthew Hoggard for a duck to give his side a poor start.

Hoggard also bowled Brad Haddin (28) in an accurate opening spell.

Simon Katich made 36 off 47 balls before he was bowled in Ian Blackwell's first over.

That paved the way for Waugh to enter the fray just as a southerly change came through, threatening rain.

Conditions darkened and the temperature dropped but the rain stayed away long enough for Waugh to unfurl many superb strokes, including three sixes and three fours.

He and Tasmanian Jamie Cox forged a century stand from 93 balls, as Waugh's team reached 200 for three wickets in the 33rd over.

Cox (49) hit five fours and a six in his 60-ball stay.

Earlier, Owais Shah - overlooked by England for the World Cup starting next month - scored 127 to anchor England's innings.

Opening the innings, Shah survived a tough early period, and was dismissed in the 48th over after facing 154 balls.

He hit nine fours and two sixes before he was caught on the boundary by Stuart MacGill off part-time bowler Greg Mail, who bowled at the end of the innings for an impressive return of 2-11 from three overs.

Shah needed 81 balls to reach 50, but scored his last 77 runs off 73 balls.

England blasted 91 runs off the final 10 overs - thanks mainly to Shah and Adam Hollioake, who hit a quick half-century as the pair added 105 off 83 balls.

England left out the bulk of its Test players, with Robert Key and Hoggard the only players from the victorious fifth Test side backing up two days later.

Copyright AFP 2001

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