BASSETERRE (St Kitts), March 15: Ricky Ponting hammered his 23rd One-day International century and Glenn McGrath took three wickets to give Australia a thumping World Cup 203-run win over Scotland here on Wednesday, the second biggest win in the tournament's history (also partially reported in Thursday’s edition).

The Australian skipper notched a 93-ball, 113 to propel the defending champions to 334-6 before the Aussie pace attack proved too hot for the minnows who were bowled out for 131 in 40.1 overs.

“It was a good game and a good hit out today. We beat England last week, we've been playing some good cricket in recent weeks,” said man-of-the-match Ponting.

Scotland skipper Craig Wright said he was proud of his team.

“We competed well for the first 45 overs of their innings, but the last five of theirs and the first 10 of ours killed us,” said Wright after Australia had plundered 50 runs off the last 22 balls.

“But we stuck at it. It wasn't easy on a small ground against a top-class outfit.”

Ponting, who shrugged off a 35-minute rain delay, was eventually out in the 46th over.

He reached his century in 85 balls hitting nine fours and five sixes – his fourth in the World Cup.

The Scots then lost half of their side within the first 16 overs, with McGrath taking three of the wickets.

The lanky 37-year-old paceman had Fraser Watts in his second over, then accounted for Ryan Watson in his third and Gavin Hamilton in his fourth to leave the Scots reeling at 42-5 by the 16th over.

Colin Smith (51) and Dougie Brown (19) shared 47 for the sixth wicket to give the Scots' total some respectability.

Australia recorded the biggest World Cup victory when they defeated Namibia by 256 runs at Potchefstroom in 2003.

McGrath, who started the tournament ten wickets short of equalling Pakistan's Wasim Akram's all-time World Cup record of 55 victims, finished with 3-14 off his six overs.