Langer and MacGill in Cup contention - Boon

National selector David Boon declared Justin Langer and Stuart MacGill were firmly in World Cup contention after the Test duo racked up runs, wickets and records galore during NSW's five-wicket win over Western Australia in the ING Cup today.

Chasing 8-259 on a perfectly flat SCG pitch, the Blues ended a six-match winless streak in both domestic competitions by reaching 5-260 with one ball to spare to join WA and South Australia in second place on the ING Cup ladder.

Michael Clarke, 20, stole the limelight by stroking an unbeaten 101 from 132 balls to guide the Blues home with valuable assistance from Brad Haddin (61 from 66 balls), captain Shane Lee (45 from 46 balls) and Corey Richards (33no from 27 balls).

But in the big World Cup picture, Langer's 107 and MacGill's 5-50 were of more importance, giving Boon and the selection panel a couple more options as they search for their best side in the 12 months before Australia defends its title in South Africa.

Langer, a Test regular at the top of the order alongside Matthew Hayden, did his one-day prospects no harm by racing to a half-century in 41 balls then wisely slowing the tempo after MacGill's onslaught in a 124-ball, 164-minute stay.

"Nobody can do any more than get their runs at a good clip and when they do, you have to take notice," said Boon.

"He's definitely got his hand up. In my opinion nobody is out of the running for the World Cup - certainly not him and certainly not Stuart MacGill."

Langer and Scott Meuleman reached 0-100 after 16 overs but MacGill, coming off 5-53 against South Australia two weeks ago, knocked the wind from WA's sails in an inspired seven-over burst of 4-32.

Forced to play more conservatively to weather the storm and struck a painful blow on the right hand, Langer kept the scoreboard ticking over with ones, twos and a few boundaries.

He and MacGill both reached significant milestones.

Langer eclipsed Tom Moody as WA's leading one-day run scorer and MacGill became the first bowler since Australia's domestic one-day competition began in 1969-70 to snare back-to-back five-wicket hauls.

He has three career five-fors, the only state bowler with more than one, and he also overtook Brad McNamara as NSW's leading one-day wicket-taker.

Langer and MacGill are both members of Australia's Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa but they haven't been given a run in the stuttering one-day outfit for a long time.

MacGill's last game was in January, 2000, when he took 1-38 from ten overs against India at Adelaide Oval.

Langer was last sighted in May, 1997, against England at Lord's when he made 29 off 44 balls batting at No.5.