Australia batsmen brutal on Foxes

Tour match, Leicester: Australia 321-4 (50 overs) beat Leicestershire 226-8 by 95 runs

Match scorecard

Symonds smashed 92 off 59 balls

Australia enjoyed a comfortable 95-run win over Leicestershire as they warmed-up for England.

Matthew Hayden smashed 107 off just 96 balls as Australia hit a huge 321-4 in their 50 overs.

Damien Martyn added 85 and Andrew Symonds an unbeaten 92 off just 59 balls including 10 fours.

Veteran Ottis Gibson provided some late fireworks for Leicestershire hitting 50 including three fours in one Brett Lee over as they notched 226-8.

The Australians scored 72 off the final five overs to treat a packed Grace Road to a magnificent exhibition of batting and signalled their intent for the Ashes summer ahead.

After Ricky Ponting had won the toss, Hayden and Gilchrist put on 38 in the first nine overs and looked largely untroubled until the latter miscued an intended drive off Gibson and skied a catch for Claude Henderson at mid-off.

That brought in Ponting, who was left kicking himself when he was out for seven pulling a short delivery from Darren Maddy straight to Dinesh Mongia at midwicket.

But Leicestershire's delight was short-lived - and for the rest of the Australian innings they were left chasing leather as the ball disappeared to all parts.

In reply Leicestershire could not match the run-rate but did not disgrace themselves againt the world champions.

As well Gibson's half-century, Paul Nixon hit 43 but Australia were never in any danger of losing with spinner Brad Hogg the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-56 from his 10 overs.