KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (CMC):

India, contesting Group B of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup with other highly ranked teams West Indies and South Africa, were among the handsome winners on the opening day yesterday.

The Indians pounded minnows Papua New Guinea by 195 runs in a lopsided match at Kinrara Academy Oval to jump into an early lead in the Group B standings.

West Indies tackle South Africa in the other first-round Group B match today (last night Caribbean time).

Reigning champions Pakistan, Australia and England also registered predictable victories in yesterday's first round of matches.

Sent to bat at Kinrara, India amassed 280 for five off their 50 overs and reduced Papua New Guinea to 85 all out in 28 overs.

Good support

Tanmay Srivastava smashed 83 not out off 76 balls with seven fours and three sixes to lead India's batting. He got good support from wicket-keeper and opening bats-man Shreevats Goswami (58), captain Virat Kohli and opener Turuwar Kohli with 40 each. Goswami and Turuwar registered an even hundred for the first-wicket partnership.

When Papua New Guinea replied, Alfred Amini showed most resistance with 26 while Iqbal Abdulla flourished with three for two off three overs, backed up by Ajitesh Argal (2-5) and Pradeep Sangwan (2-18).

"We wanted to play as well as we can early in the game, without underestimating the opposition," Dav Whatmore, India's coach, said. "We felt that if we did that well, the margin would be big at the end of the game," he added.

Champions Pakistan coasted to an eight-wicket Group A triumph over Malaysia at Johor Cricket Academy Oval when they posted 76 for two off just 9.3 overs in reply to the home side's 75 all out in 24.4 overs.

Too much to handle

Nik Azril Arifin top-scored for Malaysia with 28 as they found the 16-year-old medium pacer Adil Raza, with six for 29 off 10 overs, and his new-ball partner Mohammad Aamer (3-11), too much to handle.

Umar Amin (31) and Ahmed Shehzad (27 not out) then paced Pakistan to an effortless victory with more than 40 overs to spare.

At Penang Sports Club, Australia got the tournament's first hundred from their captain Michael Hill as they whipped Namibia by 149 runs in Group C.

The left-handed Hill smashed 124 off just 71 balls with seven fours and 12 sixes as the two-time champions Australia piled up 312 all out in 48 overs. Michael Cranmer (40) and all-rounder Steven Smith (39) were the next highest scorers for the Australians while medium pacer Ashley van Rooi picked up three for 25 off five overs for Namibia.

The African side's captain Dawid Botha top-scored with 56 but their response of 163 all out in 31 overs never threatened the Australians, who rebounded well from a warm-up loss to West Indies on Thursday. Leg-spinner Smith was Australia's chief wicket-taker with four for 41.

England quickly disposed of neighbours Ireland by 10 wickets in their Group D match at Bayuemas Oval.

Ireland, sent to bat, plunged to 109 all out off 31.2 overs and England replied with 110 without loss off just 15.5 overs. Opener Christopher Dougherty (34) led Ireland's batting against seamers Steven Finn (3-21) and James Harris (3-40).

In England's winning score, James Taylor stroked an unbeaten 52 and Billy Godleman got 38 as the pair steered England to victory without a stutter and with more than 34 overs to spare.