World Twenty20: Australia crush India in Super Eights

AUSTRALIA crushed India by 49 runs yesterday in the strongest sign yet that they have got to grips with the special demands of Twenty20 cricket.

Australia's opening pair of David Warner (72 from 42 balls) and Shane Watson (54 from 32) hammered India's bowling attack, their 104 run partnership setting up a total of 184 for five in their Super Eight game at a sun-drenched Kensington Oval.

Michael Clarke's side struck more than half of their runs from sixes – 16 in total – before the Australian pace attack, relishing the fast and bouncy track, ripped through the Indian top order.

Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait, who took three wickets each, generated some real speed as Australia reduced India to 50 for seven after 10.3 overs.

Although Rohit Sharma struck a magnificently entertaining unbeaten 79 , including six sixes, it was an innings that only served to add respectability to the magnitude of India's defeat.

In last night's match, Mahela Jayawardene stroked a classy 98 not out as Sri Lanka made the highest score in the tournament, hitting 195 for three against West Indies. Jayawardene, who has already made a century in this tournament, was part of a 166-run second wicket partnership with Kumar Sangakkara. The Sri Lankans were helped along their way by some woeful fielding from West Indies.