WA thrash Mumbai by seven wickets in Cup contest

PERTH - Test batsman Justin Langer showed his liking for the shortened game by slamming a century to guide Western Australia to a seven-wicket win over India's Mumbai in a Champions Cup one-day cricket match here tonight.

Unable to produce his best form during Australia's recent 2-1 Test loss in India, Langer took his frustration out on Mumbai tonight with an impressive 119 not out from 149 balls including nine fours and a six.

Western Australia coasted to 3-234 from 46.5 overs in reply to Mumbai's 8-231 from 50 overs.

The Champions Cup tournament here features the top domestic sides from Australia (WA), India (Mumbai), South Africa (KwaZulu Natal) and New Zealand (Central Districts).

The left-handed Langer opened the WA innings and was seldom in trouble during his three hours at the crease.

He received useful support from Michael Hussey (32 not out from 33 balls), Simon Katich (30 from 57) and former Zimbabwe Test star Murray Goodwin (30 from 40).

Mumbai's innings began promisingly as openers Robin Morris and Wasim Jaffer posted 98 from the first 24 overs.

But the middle and lower order failed to capitalise on the good work of Jaffer (82 from 108 balls, 10 fours) and Morris (32).

Sairaj Bahutule clubbed 32 not out from as many balls, with three boundaries, but Vinayak Mane (22 from 40) and Test all-rounder Samir Dighe (26 from 22) were unable to push on after starts.

The only bowler to impress on a batsman-friendly pitch was WA medium pacer Kade Harvey, who snapped up 3-40 from nine overs.