(Reuters) – David Warner and Glenn Maxwell struck blistering centuries as Australia flexed their batting muscles to expose defending champion India’s bowling limitations in a World Cup warmup match in Adelaide yesterday.
Opting to bat first, Australia piled up 371 in 48.2 overs and bowled out India for 265 in a dominant display to explain why they are considered favourites for the World Cup beginning on Saturday.
They dominated India in all three departments even though the tournament co-hosts did not last a full 50 overs in what was possibly the only blemish in their 106-run win.
Left-handed Warner (104) played his natural game, racing to his century in 80 balls.
Maxwell (122) did even better, needing 53 balls to reach the 100-mark, his second 50 coming in just 19 balls.
There was momentary discomfort for Maxwell, whose attempted hook off Umesh Yadav resulted in an inside edge that crashed onto his helmet and he also needed medical attention on his lower back after reaching 50.
Maxwell retired to allow his team mates to get some batting practice but not before plundering 27 runs from a Yadav over and hitting three sixes in a row.
India, having lost paceman Ishant Sharma to a knee injury earlier in the day, had a scare when Mohammad Shami (3-83) left the field with a split webbing but returned soon after to resume bowling.
Their batting on a good track could not offer much relief, however, with only Shikhar Dhawan (59), Ajinkya Rahane (66) and Ambati Rayudu (53) managing to impress.
