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Aussie triumph

Reigning world champions Australia warmed up for the ICC Champions trophy tournament with a convincing six-wicket win over West Indies in their one day practice match played at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo yesterday.

It was a high-scoring game as batsmen made maximum use of a good batting track. A total of 526 runs were scored for the loss of just nine wickets by both sides. West Indies, taking the first lease of the wicket, made a healthy 261 for 5 in 50 overs with Ramnaresh Sharwan making an unbeaten 72.

Shivanarine Chandrapaul made 56 before he was forced to retire hurt.

But the Australian batsmen rose to the occasion in going for that challenging total set by the team from Caribbean. Helped by unbeaten half centuries by Darren Lehman (82 n.o) and Michael Beven (53 n.o), the ICC champions trophy title favourites Australia reached the target for the loss of only four wickets with four overs to spare.

Chief scores:

West Indies: 261 for 5 in 50 overs (Ramnaresh Sharwan 72 n.o, Chris Gayles 45, Shivanarine Chandrapaul 56 rtd ht.).

Australia: 265 for 4 in 45.5 overs (Darren Lehman 82 n.o, Michael Beven 53 n.o, Adam Gilchrist 46). - (D.W.)

S. Africa easily

South Africa, one of the fancied teams to win the ICC Champions trophy, warmed up for the 12-nation tournament in Sri Lanka when they registered a conformable six-wicket win over New Zealand in their one day practice match played at NCC grounds yesterday.

Taking the first lease of the wicket, New Zealand were bowled out for 228 runs in 46.1 overs. Helped by an unbeaten century by Hersshell Gibbs, South Africans reached the target in style to register a good win. Two batsmen retired in the South African innings after gaining much needed batting practice - Gibbs after 100 and Boeta Dippenaar for 57.

Chief scores:

New Zealand: 228 all out in 46.1 overs.

South Africa: 229 for 4 in 45 overs (Hershell Gibbs 100 rtd, Boeta Dippenaar 57 rtd). - (D.W.)