<b>Cricket</b>: Barring Sehwag, India warm-up well

Virender Sehwag came a cropper again but India sent a strong warning to their rivals with a thumping nine-wicket win against hosts West Indies in the final warm-up match before the World Cup.

While Sehwag's prolonged bad patch was a worry for the Indian think-tank, Irfan Pathan's three-wicket haul brought some relief in the Indian camp and the pace attack, helped by the conducive track at the Trelawny multi-purpose Stadium, looked quite formidable in the match.

In other warm-up games on different turfs, New Zealand shook off their shock defeat to Bangladesh to register a morale-boosting 18-run win over Sri Lanka; Pakistan prevailed over World #1 side South Africa by seven wickets after a high drama over the pitch; and Australia sought solace in coming out triumphant over England by five wickets after the CB series humiliation at home.

For India, seamers Munaf Patel (4/10) and Irfan Pathan (3/25) scythed through the West Indies batting line-up to sent the hosts packing for a meagre 85 in mere 25.5 overs.

Sehwag's duck notwithstanding, India coasted home in 18.3 overs to wrap up the match, which lasted under 45 overs, as Robin Uthappa (35 not out) and Dinesh Kaarthick (38 not out) impressed all.

Victorious captain Rahul Dravid was elated with showing that provided a perfect platform to begin India's campaign in the showpiece event.

"Most key players are finding form and fitness which is a good sign for us," Dravid said, with reference to the seamers.

"We bowled in the right areas and held our catches. We got to bowl in slightly helpful conditions and made full use of them," he said.