'Emboldened' Clarke challenges rival teams to match Australia's performance

Sydney, May 8 (ANI): The thumping 49-run win over India in the World Twenty20 tournament has boosted the confidence of Australian skipper Michael Clarke, who has challenged rival nations to match his team's all-round performance.

Dirk Nannes destroyed the top batting order and David Warner hit a record seven sixes as Australia smashed India in Barbados in Friday's Super Eights clash.

Australia scored 5-184 on a bouncy Kensington Oval pitch to crush their Super Eights rivals India, who were bowled out for 135 in 17.4 overs.

Openers Warner (72) and Shane Watson (54) smashed 13 sixes between them.

"If we can continue to make totals like that, with our bowling and the way we're fielding, it's going to be hard for opposition teams to beat us," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

Nannes picked up 3-25 and is the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 10-84 from three matches, while Shaun Tait overcame resistance from Indian tailenders to take 3-21.

The Australian skipper who loves batting at No.3 surprisingly didn't bat.

"Today was a good opportunity to put Dave Hussey in at three and Brad Haddin at four. Guys that seem to clear the rope pretty easy," he said.

Australia play Sri Lanka on Sunday in Barbados before clashing with hosts West Indies in St Lucia on Tuesday in a bid to qualify for the semi-finals. (ANI)