Onslaught by Australia crushes India

Australia followed a barrage of sixes with an equally destructive display of quick bowling to crush India by 49 runs in their World Twenty20 Super Eights opener in Barbados last night. Michael Clarke's side smashed 16 sixes, just one short of the international Twenty20 record held by South Africa, as they posted an imposing 184 for five.

India struggled badly in reply as they failed miserably to handle the pace of the Australian attack, who revelled on the Kensington Oval wicket, to be out for 135. Australia's batting onslaught was led by their openers David Warner (72) and Shane Watson (54) who combined for 13 sixes in a 104-run stand from 65 balls. Warner, who was the man of the match, said in the post-match TV interview: "We started it out from the beginning, and there were some big shots. We were 160 in the 16th over, but we felt what we got was enough."

Australia's innings had begun deceptively quietly with Watson playing out a cautious maiden from Harbhajan Singh's opening over before he was dropped by Ravindra Jadeja on seven. It was to prove costly, especially for Jadeja himself, who when introduced to the attack saw six consecutive deliveries, across two overs, disappear over the ropes. Three came from Watson; three more were from Warner. Watson brought up the century stand, and his half-century from 31 balls, with another clubbed six off Yusuf Pathan before missing the next ball to be bowled.

Warner maintained the big hitting with David Hussey, who put away two sixes in his 22-ball 35, and had smashed seven sixes when Yuvraj Singh finally induced an edge through to wicketkeeper MS Dhoni to end his 42-ball 72. Hussey followed soon after when he skied a catch off Ashish Nehra and while the momentum in the Australian innings was then lost, thanks largely to Harbhajan who conceded just 15 from his four overs, they had already done enough.

Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait quickly extinguished any potential threat from India as they ripped through their top order. Nannes, who was aided by some ill-advised strokeplay, was simply too hot to handle as he removed Murali Vijay (two), Gautam Gambhir (nine) and Yuvraj Singh (one) inside the first five overs. Tait accounted for in-form Suresh Raina (five), who top-edged another loose pull stroke to Clarke, and when skipper Dhoni (two) chipped Steven Smith to long-on India were out of contention at 37 for five. In then end they were indebted to Rohit Sharma for even passing three figures as he made an unbeaten 79 from 46 balls, including six sixes and four fours .

Nannes finished with figures of three for 25 while Tait took three for 21 as he wrapped up the Indian tail. The victorious captain, Clarke said: "Our plan worked today, we'll continue to adapt to different teams we play." It was a disappointing day for India, and Dhoni said: "Watson and Warner batted very well and took the game away from us. "It's important to win the two remaining games, and the run-rate will take care of itself."

* Compiled by Graham Caygill, with agencies