Martyn hits 108 in Australia's tour opener

Damien Martyn launched Australia's tour of England by blasting 108 against Worcestershire on Friday.

Martyn struck two sixes and 19 fours as he made his runs off 149 deliveries to lift the touring team to 351 all out on the first day of their three-day match.

Worcestershire were 50 for one at the close after Glenn McGrath, opposing the county for whom he played so successfully last season, struck an early blow by dispatching opener Phil Weston for six.

Martyn's century provided a timely lift for the Australians after they were 178 for six. He found an effective ally in Shane Warne, who hammered 68 from 114 balls as they shared a seventh wicket stand of 148.

The Australians, after winning the toss, slipped to 59 for three before being boosted by a stand of 50 in 14 overs between Michael Bevan and captain Steve Waugh.

Mark Waugh (13), Matthew Hayden (20) and Ricky Ponting (24) all got a start before getting out but Bevan and his captain provided some substance to the innings.

Waugh confidently stroked two successive boundaries off medium pacer David Leatherdale to bring up the 100 in the 23rd over. He eventually fell when he went for a big drive off fast medium bowler Chris Liptrot and was bowled for 30.

Bevan, who survived two difficult caught and bowled chances, was out to the first ball after lunch when he drove Kabir Ali wide of the off stump and was held at first slip by Philip Weston.

Adam Gilchrist, dropped by Vikram Solanki at first slip while on 13, managed just eight more runs before he became a third scalp for Liptrot.

Martyn, however, continued to blossom and found Warne the ideal partner. They made the most of a wilting Worcestershire attack before left-arm spinner Matthew Rawnsley snapped up both batsmen.

Martyn was trapped lbw when sweeping and Rawnsley then made it two wickets in three overs when he also had Warne leg before after the leg-spinner had hit one six and 12 fours.

Rawnsley followed up by removing Damien Fleming to finish with three for 90 but Liptrot produced his side's best return with three for 37.

Mail Cricket Editor