03 October 2004	Sunday	17 Shaban 1425

MUMBAI, Oct 2: Glenn McGrath scalped four wickets and Justin Langer hit a century here on Saturday to lead Australia's preparations for next week's Test series against India.

McGrath conceded only 25 runs in 21.2 overs of lively seam bowling to restrict Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai to 255 on the final day.

Australia, who scored 302-7 in their first innings, hit up 207-1 in their second knock before draw was called in the only first-class game for the tourists ahead of the first Test in Bangalore from Wednesday.

Left-handed Langer, who made 108 before retiring, shared a first-wicket stand of 142 with Michael Clarke, who contributed a strokeful 52.

McGrath returned to form after missing the home series against India earlier this year due to injury.

Mumbai, who started the final day at 150-4, slipped to 176-7 before a rearguard action saw the home team add 79 runs for the last three wickets.

Langer hit 12 boundaries and two sixes while Clarke struck eight fours in Australia's second innings.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA (1st Innings) 302-7 declared (D.R. Martyn 71 retired, M.L. Hayden 67).

MUMBAI (1st Innings, overnight 150-4):

V. Mane c sub (White) b McGrath 3

Wasim Jaffar lbw b McGrath 48

V. Indulkar lbw b Hauritz 13

A. Mazumdar lbw b McGrath 52

V.G. Kambli lbw b Watson 26

R.R. Powar c Hauritz b Watson 4

S.V. Bahutule c Gilchrist b Lee 8

A.B. Agarkar c McGrath b Clarke 37

V. Samant c Gilchrist b Lee 20

N.M. Kulkarni not out 15

A.M. Salvi b McGrath 7

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-4, NB-14) 22

TOTAL (all out, 92.2 overs) 255

Fall of wkts: 1-6, 2-64, 3-80, 4-150, 5-152, 6-156, 7-176, 8-213, 9-248

BOWLING: McGrath 21.2-8-25-4 (2nb); Lee 21-4-53-2 (8nb); Watson 10-1-23-2; Clarke 11-1-56-1; Hauritz 21-4-62-1; Katich 3-0-18-0; Hodge 5-0-10-0.

AUSTRALIA (2nd Innings):

J.L. Langer retired 108

M.J. Clarke c Indulkar b Powar 52

B.J. Hodge not out 29

S.M. Katich not out 7

EXTRAS (B-3, LB-6, NB-2) 11

TOTAL (for one wkt, 54 overs) 207

FALL OF WKT: 1-142.

BOWLING: Agarkar 5-2-14-0; Salvi 9-4-13-0 (2nb); Kulkarni 19-0-69-0; Powar 16-1-85-1; Mane 4-0-15-0; Indulkar 1-0-2-0.

RESULT: Match drawn.-AFP