Australia hammer India to post 371 in practice match

Glenn Maxwell scored 122 off 57

Adelaide, Feb 8 (IANS) Twin centuries from opener David Warner (104) and middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell (122) helped Australia hammer India to post a huge total of 371 in a World Cup practice match here on Sunday.

Australia were bowled out in 48.2 overs but only after putting up a strong batting display.

Australia got off to a fast start courtesy the destructive Warner with fellow opener Aaron Finch (20) at the Adelaide Oval.

Indian bowlers failed to contain or to dismiss the aggressive Australian batsmen. Warner, after Finch's departure, carried on the carnage and was only dismissed after building a solid foundation for his team.

The left-hander was the dominant partner in a 62-run opening stand with Finch that came up from only 51 balls and in the 53-run second-wicket stand with Shane Watson that came off 42 deliveries.

His century - from 80 balls with 13 boundaries and a pair of sixes - came just past the midway point of Australia's innings, courtesy of a single to long-off from Ravichandran Ashwin whom Warner had lifted over the midwicket fence in the spinner's previous over.

Maxwell took over the baton of power-hitting after Warner's departure and only stopped when he retired himself out to give his colleagues some batting practice, plundering 11 fours and eight sixes in a knock the required just 57 balls.

All Indian bowlers were democratically punished by the home team, but pacer Mohammed Shami emerged as the most successful bowler with three wickets. But these came at a heavy price of 83 runs from his 9.2 overs.

Fellow pacers Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma also picked up two wickets each, but they also proved expensive.

Sunday's match at the Adelaide Oval is the first in a series of warm-up games ahead of the start of the ICC World Cup that kicks off with matches in Melbourne in Australia and Christchurch in New Zealand next Saturday.

Brief Scores: Australia 371 in 48.2 overs (David Warner 104, Glenn Maxwell 122; Mohammed Shami 3/83, Umesh Yadav 2/52)