Australia's captain, Ricky Ponting,hits a boundary against Scotland on his way to 113 in yesterday's World Cup match in St. Kitts. - Reuters

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (AP):

RICKY PONTING stroked 113 and Glenn McGrath took three wickets to help Australia to a 203-run win over Scotland yesterday in their World Cup Group A match.

Ponting plundered 113 from 93 balls in his fourth World Cup century, becoming only the sixth batsman to accumulate 1,000 World Cup runs as Australia posted 334 for six.

The Australia captain, who was dropped on 23 by wicketkeeper Colin Smith, stroked five sixes and nine boundaries before he was out in the 46th over.

Openers Matt Hayden (60) and Adam Gilchrist (46) put on 91 at the start of the innings and Brad Hogg bludgeoned 24 in the last over from Dougie Brown, finishing unbeaten on 40.

It was Australia's second-highest total in a World Cup match, falling short of the 359 for two it scored in the 125-run win over India in the 2003 final at Johannesburg. Scotland's reply started badly, losing opener Majid Haq (16) to a run out with the total at 21.

McGrath dismissed Fraser Watts (nine), Ryan Watson (six) and Gavin Hamilton (three) and returned 3-14 from six overs.

Smith scored his maiden limited-overs international half century, making 51 from 72 balls and delaying the inevitable. Paul Hoffman was bowled by Brad Hogg at the start of the 41st over, ending the innings at 131 for nine.

Scottish bowler John Blain strained his hamstring running in to bowl the first ball of his second spell. He left the field for the rest of Australia's innings and did not bat.

Australia, aiming to be the first country to win three consecutive World Cup titles, had a five-match losing stretch coming into the tournament. The Australians beat Zimbabwe and England in warm-up matches last week.