McGrath leads records haul as Australia roar a warning

Australia 301-6 Namibia 45 Australia win by 256 runs

So, the measure of England's task has become perfectly clear. To qualify for the next stage of the World Cup without improbable assistance from elsewhere, they must beat a team who yesterday equalled the greatest number of consecutive one-day wins, while bowling out the opposition for 45 and breaking four other World Cup records in the process.

If Nasser Hussain's boys were watching Australia, who had already qualified for the Super Sixes, on television it is to be hoped that there were some sturdy sofas in the room behind which to hide. It was not viewing designed to offer any semblance of hope to a team already midway to the floor.

The team led by Ricky Ponting beat Namibia by 256 runs, the largest margin of victory in any one-day international – and this was the 1,970th. There were three World Cup records: Glenn McGrath's 7 for 15 from seven overs was the best bowling analysis, Darren Lehmann's 28 runs from the final six balls of Australia's innings was the greatest number of runs in an over, Adam Gilchrist's six catches was the greatest number by a wicketkeeper.

"Today was my day," McGrath said. "I can't complain about seven wickets in a one-day match. Brett Lee was quite fiery. He softened them up and I cashed in."

Fortunately for England, Lee found Shoaib Akhtar's record for the fastest ball, which was set last Saturday, beyond him. Lee managed to go no higher than a mere 98.7mph.

There has been idle chatter in the saloons of South Africa that Australia might have peaked too soon for this tournament and are riding for a fall. The theory behind this supposition is that one-day cricket is a contrary animal: on the day anything can happen.

What happened yesterday is that Australia once more gave a sublimely efficient demonstration of the one-day arts. They were pegged back in the field by a keen and athletic Namibian side after a rip-roaring start by Matthew Hayden. It looked as though the target of 300 they would have set themselves would be beyond them as the last over arrived. But Darren Lehmann hit four fours and two sixes, including one off the final ball. It brought him a half-century from 31 balls.

That did for Namibia. Lee was fast and accurate. McGrath was slower and more accurate. Perhaps Namibia needed so much bravery and concen- tration against Lee – Dani Keulder was struck three times in an over – that they relaxed slightly against McGrath.

Six of his wickets were to catches at wicketkeeper or slip, one of them by Gilchrist diving to his right was quite outstanding. If Australia beat England it will be their 12th straight win, beating the run established by Clive Lloyd's great West Indies side in 1984-85.

It was a West Indian bowler's return which McGrath overwhelmed. Winston Davis took 7 for 51 at Headingley in the 1983 World Cup. That was against Australia.

McGrath was happy enough. However, gently but ominously, he said he would feel better when he took eight against England.

How Australia rewrote history against Namibia

Margin of victory

256 runs (World Cup record).

Best bowling analysis

7 for 15: Glenn McGrath (World Cup record).

Most catches

Six: Adam Gilchrist (World Cup record).

Most runs in an over

28: Darren Lehmann (World Cup record).

Most wins in succession

11: Australia (Equals record for one-day internationals).

Lowest total

45: Namibia (Second lowest in World Cup).