Proteas crush Australia in Bangalore

Netherlands, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Ireland also victorious in World Cup warm-up matches.

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Australia suffered a comprehensive defeat at the hands of South Africa in their World Cup warm-up match in Bangalore on Tuesday.

The record books will show the Proteas winning by seven wickets, reaching their target of 218 with 34 balls to spare, but that fails to tell the full story as both openers, captain Graeme Smith (65) and Hashim Amla (60), opted to retire in order to give others time in the middle.

Australia's bowlers failed to take a wicket with the only South African to be dismissed, Faf du Plessis, the victim of a run out on 12.

Jean-Paul Duminy just ran out of time in his bid for a half-century, finishing unbeaten on 47 while AB de Villiers had 16.

Australia got off to a woeful start with openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin both out for ducks, before Ricky Ponting's 55 and Michael Clarke's 73 steadied the ship.

But after they had gone, the tail failed to wag as they finished all out for 217 in 47.1 overs.

Half centuries from Kumar Sangakkara (71), Tillakaratne Dilshan (62), and Thilan Samaraweera (55) saw Sri Lanka successfully chase down a target of 282 for a four-wicket win over the West Indies.

Sulieman Benn took three wickets for 40 for the West Indies, but it was not enough.

Chris Gayle had made 58 and Darren Bravo 54 earlier in the day, but three wickets for 33 for Lasith Malinga, and three for 39 for Rangana Herath slowed their progress.

Ahmed Shehzad and Misbah-ul-Haq each scored centuries as Pakistan cruised to an 89-run victory over Bangladesh in Dhaka.

The duo covered up for the deficiencies of others as Mohammad Hafeez's 21 was the best showing from the rest of the team, Kamran Akmal managing only one and Younis Khan five.

But the bowlers enjoyed a good day with Shakib Al Hasan taking three for 49 and Rubel Hossain three for 73.

Bangladesh's dangerman Tamim Iqbal was dismissed first ball by Abdur Razzak, and once Imrul Kayes (39) and Junaid Siddique (38) were removed, Pakistan made light work of the rest.

Andre Botha's half-century ensured a four-wicket win for Ireland against Zimbabwe in Nagpur.

Batting first, Zimbabwe clawed their way back from a top-order collapse to finish at 244 for eight with captain Elton Chigumbura's fighting 103 not out off 81 balls leading the way.

Ireland's chase was highlighted by key innings from Botha (79), Alex Cusack (47), and Kevin O'Brien (62 not out) but Zimbabwe bowled well to ensure the match went down to the final over as victory for the Irish came with three balls to spare.

Ryan ten Doeschate's unbeaten 98 carried the Netherlands to a two-wicket victory over Kenya.

Ten Doeschate just missed out on a century, hitting four sixes and three fours off 92 balls.

He failed to get any support from the Dutch middle order, but Atse Buurman's 29 and an unbeaten 20 from Mudassar Bukhari helped him carry it home.

Seren Waters carried his bat with an unbeaten 126 while Rakep Patel had 64 in Kenya's 263 for five.