New Delhi:
World champions Australia rode on a hat-trick by veteran full-back Luke Doerner to crush Scotland 9-0 in their opening Pool A match of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.
Doerner, returning to the side after missing Australia's Champions Trophy triumph in Germany last month, slotted in the goals in the 14th, 38th and 60 minutes to give the defending champions a rousing start to the tournament.
The world number one side were hardly tested by the 23rd-ranked Scots in the lop-sided encounter played in blistering heat at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium.
Chris Cirilello picked a brace, Rob Hammond underlined his class with a stunning reverse flick and Trent Mitton scored a field goal to give the Aussies a 5-0 lead at half-time.
The second-half followed a similar pattern with the Kookaburras denying the Scots any chance of opening their account. Simon Orchard and Des Abbott added to the two goals scored by Doerner after the break.
It was at this very venue that the Aussies, coached by the legendary Ric Charlesworth, won the World Cup after 24 years by beating defending champions Germany 2-1 in the final.
The Aussies also enjoy an enviable record in the Commonwealth Games, having won the gold in all the three editions since the sport was introduced in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.