Australia XI, Mumbai hit up big scores, tons by Hughes, Luke

Chennai, Aug 29 (UNI) Capped by century knocks of by Thil Hughes 107 and Luke P Bach 112 (not out), Australia XI sent the Combined Districts XI bowlers on a leather hunt to score 363 losing 8 wickets in the stipulated 90 overs, in their first innings in the semi finals of the All India Buchi Babu cricket tournament here today.

In the other semi final, Mumbai, batting first against Baroda, hit up 340 for 9 in 90 overs at stumps on the first day, with good half-centuries from left hander Abhishek Nayar (82, 53 balls, nine fours, four sixes) and Ajinkya Ramane (74 not out,139 balls, eight fours, one six). Baroda's left arm spinner Swanil Singh returned with a bag of five wickets for 98 runs.

At the M A Chidambaram stadium, the young Aussies, who won the toss and decided to make first use of the wicket, were off to a splendid start through openers Thil Hughes, who blasted the rival attack in his 107 run knock studded with 16 fours, off 204 balls, and Ed Cowan's 79 (127 balls, eight fours, one six).

The duo put on 170 runs for the first wicket off 49.3 overs when the Districts XI off-spinner S Suresh Kumar drew first blood claiming Cowan. However, there was more to come for the toiling District bowlers as no three batsman Luke, another left hander, smashed them to remain unbeaten on 112 with eight fours and four sixes.

He had to restrain himself a bit as the wickets started falling at the other end and the Aussies slumped to 257 for 6, with the Districts medium pacer M K Shivakumar strking to claim four wickets for 71 runs off 17 overs.

But they recovered again through a 68 run seventh wicket stand between Luke and Steve Smith, a right hander, in 15 overs. Smith made 52 runs off 38 balls with the help of four fours.

Combined Districts XI face a stiff task when they begin their reply tomorrow.

Brief Scores: Australia XI 363-8 in 90 overs(Thil Hughes 107, Ed Cowan 79, Luke P Bach 112 n.o, Steve Smithy 38, M K Shivakumar 4-71) UNI