Reigning champions Australia stormed into the Super Eight with a crushing
229-run win over the Netherland in the World Cup Group 'A' cricket
one-dayer here today. 
After Brad Hodge smashed the Orange attack to post his
maiden ODI century to propel Australia to a massive 358 for five, the pacers
routed the Dutch to 129 all out with nearly half their quota of overs remaining.
The margin was better than the 203-run win for Australia against
Scotland in their opening match.
The victory meant the three-time champions are the first team
to advance to the second stage of the World Cup where they will play the top
two teams from the other three groups.
Before that, however, Ricky Ponting's men will take on world
number one South Africa in their last group engagement on March 25.
That result will not only decide who will top the group but also say which
team takes the points into the next phase.
Australia have now 4 points after two wins from as many matches
while South Africa have 2 points from the one match they have played so far,
also against the Netherlands.
The Proteas take on Scotland, the fourth side in the group,
on Tuesday.
Middle order batsman Hodge led the Aussie onslaught with a
hurricane 123 off 89 balls and was well supported by Michael Clarke who
carved out a stylish yet aggressive 93 not out.
Thirty-two-year-old Hodge smashed eight fours and seven sixes
during his massive 184-run partnership with Clarke.
After Hodge fell in the 48th over, Clarke took on the baton
to whack two sixes off the last over that cost the Dutch 24 runs in all.
Clarke moved from 80 to 93 from the last three balls he played
against Peter Borren whom he hit over midwicket fence twice and then scampered
for a single.
The last 10 overs produced 130 runs and there were 13 sixes overall in the
Australian innings.
Borren suffered the brunt of the Aussie attack, conceding 1-89.
Thirty-nine-year old medium-pacer Tim de Leede was the best bowler with 2-40
from 10 overs.
The Netherlands were off to a decent start when they put on
36 runs before Nathan Bracken (2-33) peg them back.
Daan van Bunge (33) and Tim de Leede (14) led a minor recovery
before Brad Hogg (4-27) broke their 41-run association with the latter's scalp.
McGrath (2-33) improved his World Cup tally to 50 with the
wickets of Bunge nand skipper Luuk van Troost.
Earlier, electing to bat, Australia were given the perfect
launchpad by Adam Gilchrist (57) and Matthew Hayden (29) who had
a 73-run opening stand in less than 12 overs.
Gilchrist was in punishing mood as he belted 11 fours from
64 balls.
Hayden was his imposing self during the short time he was at
the crease and whenever he swung the bat he had enough wood on the ball that
even edges sailed over the ropes.
But his innings, that contained four fours and a six, came to an early end.
The fall of skipper Ricky Ponting (23) immediately Gilchrist's
dismissal failed to slowdown the Aussie juggernaut as Clarke and Hodge got into
action from word go.
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