World XI skipper Shaun Pollock [Images] said it would be a big challenge for his side to bounce back in the ICC [Images] Super Series after being thoroughly outplayed by Australia in the opening one-day international in Melbourne, on Wednesday.

"It is a big challenge for us now to come back in the series," Pollock said after World XI were handed a 93-run thrashing by the three-time world champions at the Docklands Indoor Stadium.

The South African said his players would be keen to prove they are worthy of selection in a World XI side and would go all out in the remaining two matches.

"It is a situation where our players are now keen to prove they are worthy of selection to the World XI side," he said.

"The target of 255 was pretty gettable but there were a few soft dismissals," the South African said, referring to the reckless manner in which some of the stars gifted away their wickets to render the match a one-sided affair.

Rival skipper Ricky Ponting [Images] said his team had "a big point to prove" after the Ashes debacle and he is happy that the side played "very very good cricket".

"We have worked very hard for the last few days and all the players were up for it [the challenge of taking on best of the world].

"We always knew 250 would be a hard total to chase and although we did drop a few chances, in the end it was a great all round effort," he said.

Shane Watson, who took 3 for 43, was declared man of the match.