Australia beat Scotland by 7 wickets ahead of q/f clash

Bowling out Scotrland, who suffered their sixth strai9ght defeat in the tournament for 130 runs in 25.4 overs, Australia raced to 133 runs by losing three wickets with 34.4 overs to spare.

Promoting himself up the order skipper Michael Clarke hit 47 runs in a rain-hit match.

Clarke, who returned to cricket after injury ahead of the World Cup, smashed seven boundaries and two sixes in his knock.

With an eye on their fifth World Cup title , Australia will either face Pakistan or Ireland int he quarterfinals.

Aaron Finch (20) and Shane Watson (24) could not convert the start they got in the innings and lost their wickets in a match which was hit by rain.

James Faulkner (16*) and David Warner (21*) reached the target and gave another victory to the former champions ahead of their knock-stage clash as Australia stood in the second spot in the pool after New Zealand.

Matt Machan's 40 runs knock was the only notable point in the Scottish batting line-up which otherwise failed in front of the strong Australian bowling attack.

Mitchell Starc took 4-13 and Pat Cummins claimed 3-42 to destroy their opponents and restrict them at 130 runs.

After the match, Clarke said, "It's always nice to win. I don't think there's any better preparation for a quarterfinal."

Brief scorecard:

Scotland 130 all out in 25.4 overs (M Machan 40; Starc 4-14)

Australia:133 for three in 15.2 overs (M Clarke 47; J Davey1-38)