A win for India at last

Opener Rohit Sharma smashed 150 in India's 153-run romp against Afghanistan in their final World Cup warm-up match on Tuesday, helping the holders register their first win in Australia since they landed in November.

Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane (88 not out) and Suresh Raina (75) made merry against Afghanistan's limited bowling resources to propel India to 364-5 at the Adelaide Oval.

The two-time world champions then restricted Afghanistan to 211-8 to finally taste victory before they begin their title defence against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday.

In an otherwise frustrating Australian summer, India lost the four-Test series to Australia, could not win a single match in the subsequent tri-series also involving England, and were spanked by the World Cup hosts in their first warm-up match on Sunday.

Opting to bat first, India lost quick two wickets before Sharma and Raina (75) added 158 runs in the next 25 overs.

SCOTLAND THRASH IRELAND

Matt Machan scored a century and Alasdair Evans took four for 17 as Scotland romped to a 179-run victory over Ireland in a World Cup warm-up match at Blacktown Oval in Sydney on Tuesday.

Ireland have caused huge upsets at both their previous World Cups but it was Scotland, who have yet to taste victory in two tournaments, who won the battle of the Celtic minnows with 23 overs to spare.

SCORES IN BRIEF

INDIA: 364 for 5 in 50 overs (Rohit 150, Rahane 88 not out, Raina 75; Hamid 1-49)

AFGHANISTAN: 211 for 8 in 50 overs (Usman 44, Mangol 60, Asghar 20, Asfar 24 not out; Mohit 2-40, Jadeja 2-38)

Result: India won by 153 runs.

SCOTLAND: 296 for 6 in 50 overs (Machan 103, Mommsen 56, Berrington 52; Young 2-30, Sorensen 3-55)

IRELAND: 117 all out in 27 overs (Porterfield 23, Stirling 37; Evans 4-17, Haq 3-9)

Result: Scotland won by 179 runs.