Big-hitting Snelling stuns Mexico

MEXICO CITY// Australia stormed to a stunning 17-7 victory over hosts Mexico in their World Classic pool game on Sunday. Chris Snelling hit two of his team's four home runs to lead the Australians to their first triumph in the event. The unfancied Aussies out-hit Mexico 22-12 with Snelling going three-for-five at the plate as Luke Hughes and Ben Risinger also added a home run apiece in a game called after eight innings by the tournament "mercy rule".

Australia's next game is against Cuba tonight after the highly- rated Caribbean team eased to an 8-1 victory over South Africa. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the final stages of the tournament in the USA, while the loser can still advance with a win over the team that emerges from the South Africa v Mexico eliminator. "We're going to try to do the same against Cuba. We're going to come out like we did today," the Australian catcher Andrew Graham said.

* With agencies