Press Trust of India
Perth, Mar 4: David Warner made mincemeat of an inexperienced Afghanistan bowling attack with a magnificent 178 (133b, 19×4, 5×6) as hosts, Australia defeated Afghanistan by 275 runs after piling up a tournament record score of 417 for six in a Pool A match of the cricket World Cup here Wednesday.
Batting first, Australia lost the wicket of Aaron Finch early but Warner combined superbly with Steven Smith, who scored a patient 95 (98b, 8×4, 1×6) adding 260 runs for the second wicket and laid the platform for a huge score. The stage was set for a Glenn Maxwell showdown and he didn’t disappoint an inch as he deposited the bowlers all over the park and scored a scintillating 88 (39b, 6×4, 7×6) to send the Aussie score beyond the 400 run mark.
After a disappointing batting show against New Zealand, the Kangaroos needed a run feast and the trio of Warner, Smith and Maxwell provided the sizable crowd maximum entertainment. Maxwell played some amazing reverse flicks along with the old fashioned pick up shots over extra cover and deep fine leg to completely deflate the inexperienced Afghan attack. In that process the Aussies surpassed India’s record of 413 for five against Bermuda in 2007.
Afghanistan were never in the match as they were bundled out for 142. Mitchell Johnson (4/22) ran through the Afghan batting order as his pace and bounce was too much for the Afghans to handle. Mitchell Starc (2/18) and Josh Hazlewood (2/25) were also impressive while skipper Michael Clarke did roll his arm over for five overs and got a wicket in the process.
Nawroj Mangal 33 (35b, 2×4, 2×6) was the highest scorer for Afghanistan. He smashed two huge sixes off Mitchell Marsh before Aaron Finch brilliant caught him off Johnson’s delivery and ended his stay at the crease.
Brief scores
Australia 417 for 6 (Warner 178, Smith 95, Maxwell 88) beat Afghanistan 147 (Mangal 33, Johnson 4-22) by 275 runs