Australia Open Tour With Convincing Victory

Australia Open Tour With Convincing Victory

David Warner struck 74 at the top of the order as the Australians beat Leicestershire at Grace Road

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australians 241-8 (Warner 74) beat
Leicestershire 136 (McKay 4-31) by 102 runs (D/L)
Tour game, Grace Road

Australia comfortably prevailed in a rain-affected one-day warm-up match against Leicestershire at Grace Road, scoring a 102-run win on the Duckworth/Lewis method.

David Warner hit 74 to help Australia make 241 for eight in 41 overs during their interrupted innings before Leicestershire were bowled out for 136 having been set a target of 239 in 36 overs.

Warner retired having faced 78 balls and a number of other Australian batsmen made contributions, including his opening partner Matthew Wade, who made 32.

David Hussey (37), Michael Clarke (29), George Bailey (21) and Mitchell Johnson (21 not out) also scored handily, Johnson making his comeback from a six-month spell on the sidelines with a foot injury.

Abdul Razzaq returned figures of three for 39 for the Foxes while left-arm spinner James Sykes celebrated his one-day debut with the wicket of Shane Watson, who made one.

Leicestershire's reply never got going, and they lost early wickets, Josh Cobb (1) and Jacques du Toit (6) falling to James Pattinson and Clint McKay.

Greg Smith (44) and Matt Boyce (38) then added 69 for the third wicket but that was as good as it got and once they were prised apart by Xavier Doherty, Australia quickly moved into a position of complete control.

A quick brace from Watson saw the home side slump to 94 for five and McKay then burst through to return figures of four for 31 as Leicestershire's innings ended in 29.4 overs.

Australia now travel to Ireland where they play a One-Day International on 23rd June ahead of five matches against England.

© Cricket World 2012