It was David versus Goliath in the World Cup this morning as Australia faced debutants Afghanistan in Perth.
David Warner's crunching 178 inspired the co-hosts to a World Cup-record total of 417-6, with Steve Smith (95) and Glenn Maxwell (88) playing superb supporting roles.
Australia's pace attack then proved too much for the minnows, who managed to bat through 37.3 overs, but were bowled out 275 runs short at the WACA to suffer the heaviest defeat in tournament history.
The result leaves Australia third in Pool A with five points and Afghanistan second from bottom with two.
Relive how the carnage unfolded with Sports Mole's over-by-over updates below.
6.03amGood morning folks. It can't really get much more David vs. Goliath in cricketing terms than Australia, four-times champions and this year's co-hosts, versus minnows and debutants Afghanistan.
6.06amHowever, the huge gulf in stature between these two cricketing nations is yet to show on the Pool B table. Australia have three points, having lost to New Zealand and had a wash out with Bangladesh, only one more point than the Afghans, whose victory over Scotland was their first in a World Cup.
6.09amAFGHANISTAN WIN THE TOSS AND ELECT TO FIELD: Team news to follow shortly...
6.12amAUSTRALIA: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood
AFGHANISTAN: Javed Ahmadi, Usman Ghani, Nawroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wk), Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran
6.15amTwo changes for the Aussies from the side which lost that thriller to New Zealand. Shane Watson's lives seem to have finally run out and the return to fitness of James Faulkner spells bad news for him. Elsewhere, Josh Hazelwood is recalled to the side to replace the injured Pat Cummins.
6.18amAfghanistan swap Usman Ghani for Gulbadin Naib at the top of the order. Captain Mohammad Nabi's decision to field first is an indication, though, that he feels that their strength is most definitely in their bowling. Hamid Hassan, their 90mph opener, and Shapoor Zadran are both worth looking out for.
6.21amFaulkner's inclusion for Watson may appear to weaken Australia's batting on paper, but the all-rounder has played some outstanding innings down the order and has developed a reputation as a world-class finisher. Everyone from Haddin to Smith will move up one behind openers Warner and Finch.
6.24amFinch and Warner are padded up as the two sides emerge for the national anthems. The former struck a thumping century against England, but Warner is yet to make a score this tournament.
6.27amLATEST: Pakistan versus the UAE in this morning's Pool B clash already seems to be a foregone conclusion. The minnows are 42-3 after 15 overs, chasing a formidable total of 340 to win.
6.30amHere we go then. Dawlat Zadran to bowl to Warner. The WACA pitch appears to be a belter. Play!
AUS 4-0 (1 OVER)Dawlat is a bit short and wild to begin with, although he nearly catches out Warner and a top edge on the pull briefly interests the long-leg fielder. Finch is off the mark with two through mid-off.
AUS 14-0 (2 OVERS)The left-arm Shapoor Zadran takes the other new cherry and goes for four first ball - much more conviction behind that Warner pull shot. He's a bit streaky again later in the over, though, nearly chopping on to a back-of-a-length delivery which squirms away to fine leg. Dawlat's boot saves two.
AUS 14-1 (3 OVERS)WICKET! AARON FINCH caught MANGAL bowled DAWLAT 4(9)
Big early breakthrough for the Afghans as they get form man Finch. Dawlat had dotted him up first five balls, and that induces a loose drive from the Aussie, who edges behind for Nawroz Mangal to take a good catch low to his left at first slip. Just a hint of away movement and Finch is gone; lovely bowling.
AUS 19-1 (4 OVERS)Shapoor is far less disciplined and angers Warner with a passionate appeal after the ball had clearly flicked the pad on its way behind. Warner responds by slapping his next ball over square-leg to the boundary. Anything short on this wicket is meat and drink for these Aussie batsmen.
AUS 23-1 (5 OVERS)This has been an impressive start from Dawlat and he twice goes past the outside edge of Warner, angling the ball across the left-hander and perhaps just beating him for pace. A clip off the pads brings Warner three from the final ball. New man Steve Smith previously picked up a single to mid-off.
AUS 24-1 (6 OVERS)Shapoor is a bit straight to Warner and is worked into the leg-side for one. Smith is moving across his stumps trying to do the same and gets a leading edge which stays down. He gets inside the next one and leaves on length, a la Steve Waugh, with the extra bounce taking it over the stumps.
AUS 30-1 (7 OVERS)A couple of long chases for the Afghan fielders square of the wicket as each Aussie batsman picks up three, Warner punching through the off-side and Smith working to leg off his hip.
AUS 41-1 (8 OVERS)Hamid Hassan is into the attack and expensive to start. Without going for a boundary, he concedes 11 as Smith (8 off 10) and Warner (25 off 29) pierce some gaps in the field and run well. You have to be either a) really good or b) really cocky to wear a headband and war paint. I'll let you decide.
AUS 54-1 (9 OVERS)Afghanistan are losing control of what was promising to be a decent power play, with 13 off what is likely to be Dawlat's last over of his opening spell. Warner latches onto some width by crunching to the cover fence and then whacks another short ball to the fence wide of long-on.
50 up for #AUS and @davidwarner31 is looking to put the foot down now. 54-1 after 9. http://t.co/LKZxNIWl1V #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/MrTAaOAuB6
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 4, 2015AUS 68-1 (10 OVERS)FIFTY! Warner is really motoring now and three boundaries in the over take him to a 40-ball half-century. He tucks into another short ball, and Hassan changes his length, only to see the ball slapped over his head for four twice. Still 40 overs for Warner to bat here and a chance to go really big.
AUS 70-1 (11 OVERS)Captain Nabi introduces his off-spin as soon as the fielding restrictions are lifted. Warner and Smith pick up a single each. Immediately five back as Afghanistan go on the defensive.
AUS 79-1 (12 OVERS)Stop bowling short. Just stop doing it, I beg you. Warner collects what must be a fifth freebie boundary on the pull and a host of singles take Hassan's figures to 0-33. Take a breather mate.
AUS 86-1 (13 OVERS)With the field spread, the Aussies ease to seven off Nabi's second over. Smith uses his feet to work the ball, while Warner prefers to hit stoutly from his crease. Australia are 56-0 off the last six overs and any of the early pressure that they may have been under has now pretty much relented.
AUS 88-1 (14 OVERS)To my surprise, Hassan stays on and this is a much better set. He manages to get five balls at the so-far circumspect Smith and keeps a good line and length for the most part. When he does drop short, the Aussie number three is late on it and gets caught in the midriff. He can rub that off at drinks.
AUS 90-1 (15 OVERS)We see a fifth Afghanistan bowler in the 15th over as Samiullah Shenwari comes on. He's a bit-part leg-spinner, but starts well and Warner and Smith settle for a single down the ground apiece.
Warner looking in ominous form in Perth. He's onto 60 off 50 balls. How many do you think he will get? #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/UBlV4koSqr
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 4, 2015AUS 93-1 (16 OVERS)A change of ends for Nabi then and he maintains some pretty good areas, apart from one shortish delivery which is punched wide of deep cover for a couple by Warner (67 off 59).
AUS 104-1 (17 OVERS)Warner is expecting these two spinners to bowl in tandem for a while and calls for his cap. Shenwari might not stay on long if the left-hander keeps carving him away as he does here, though. He is short, if not wide, and Warner creates room for himself to collect two boundaries.
AUS 109-1 (18 OVERS)Smith survives a run out chance, hesitating after nurdling one around the corner off Javed Ahmadi, on to replace Nabi in name if not in style. A direct hit at the bowler's end would have had him.
AUS 117-1 (19 OVERS)Again Warner opens up the off-side, this time with some neat footwork which allows him to free his arms and thrash through extra cover for four. The hundred partnership is up between these two and Warner has made the bulk of the contribution. He is 85 off 72 balls, with 11 boundaries.
AUS 121-1 (20 OVERS)Ahmadi sneaks in a quick over for minimal damage. No signs of any sweeps yet, perhaps a dangerous shot with the extra bounce, with both batsmen looking to play with a straight bat.
AUS 125-1 (21 OVERS)Nabi doesn't just want to plod along here and is going in search of a wicket, bringing Shapoor back into the attack. He steams in, round the wicket at Smith, and bowls a decent length. The field is set back, though, and there are singles on offer which Australia are happy to take.
AUS 129-1 (22 OVERS)Ahmadi really does rush through his overs. He barely gives me time to tell you that UAE are 150-6 off 42 overs chasing 340 against Pakistan, who are about to wrap up consecutive wins.
AUS 137-1 (23 OVERS)Into the 90s now, Warner, with a couple of singles worked out to mid-wicket. Smith finally gets his first boundary by moving across his stumps and delicately flicking Shapoor past fine leg.
AUS 143-1 (24 OVERS)Warner cannot quite squeeze a single away off the last ball as he tries to keep the strike, but he is now on 97 and within one strike of a century as we reach the halfway point of the innings.
AUS 151-1 (25 OVERS)HUNDRED! Warner goes to his century with an inside edge into the leg-side off Shenwari, one of the few unconvincing strokes in what has been a commanding hundred, reached off 92 balls with 11 boundaries. It is his fourth ODI century and first in a World Cup, but the celebrations are minimal. He knows that this is a chance to go huge, Chris Gayle huge. If he is still around in another 20 overs, he won't be far from 200. Smith adds four to his own score with a lovely cut through point.
AUS 161-1 (26 OVERS)Back into the attack with an 110kmph long hop, Hassan is clubbed over mid-on by Warner and another short ball gets similar treatment. The Afghan paceman has been very disappointing today. His pace has flirted with that 90mph mark, but he has shown a complete lack of control.
AUS 167-1 (27 OVERS)Shuffling down the wicket again, Smith turns a Shenwari delivery into a full toss and elegantly flicks to the mid-wicket fence. This is now the highest second-wicket partnership by an Australian pair at a World Cup, eclipsing the 144 put on by Kim Hughes and Trevor Chappell against India.
AUS 173-1 (28 OVERS)A change of tact from Hassan as he goes full and wide. Warner and Smith take singles to the men back at either cover or long-off before the latter works into his more favourable leg-side.
AUS 180-1 (29 OVERS)FIFTY! The Afghans miss a half-chance to grab a much-needed wicket as Afsar Zazai drops Warner behind the stumps. Nabi gets one to rise off a length and there is a sizeable edge which flies into the chest of Zazai, who cannot cling on to the rebound. That was a tough chance, but one that his side could have done with him hanging on to. Smith had previously gone to his half-century by thrashing Nabi through point. His first fifty of the tournament comes off 60 balls with only four boundaries.
AUS 203-1 (30 OVERS)Massive over from Australia as Dawlat, the pick of the bowlers thus far, goes for 23 on his return to the attack. Smith strokes beautifully down the ground for four before passing over to Warner, who hits two big sixes, the first of the innings, over long-on. Dawlat replies well and beats him with a slower ball, but his luck is out and a thick edge splits the two fielders behind square on the off-side and rolls away.
AUS 207-1 (31 OVERS)The co-hosts are in a fantastic position here and will have 400 in their sights. Nabi does well to restrict them, but I don't fancy that there will be many more four-run overs between now and tea.
AUS 222-1 (32 OVERS)Shapoor replaces Dawlat and gets the same treatment. Warner clears his front leg and launches a half-volley 10 rows back. Different length, same result as a short ball is smashed into the crowd over mid-wicket. A poor kid takes a bruiser on the arm. Warner is dangerous to everyone in this mood.
AUS 233-1 (33 OVERS)150! Warner slogs back over Nabi's head for four to bring up his 150, and there is still 17 overs to go. Cricket these days, eh? His next boundary is all about timing, a check drive which beats wide long-on to the rope. This partnership is now worth 219 off 30 overs as we take drinks again.
8.53amRESULT! It is all over in Napier, where UAE batted through their 50 overs to reach 210-8, 129 runs short of Pakistan's 339. Ahmed Shehzad's 93 and another fifty for Misbah the key contributions.
And that's all at McLean Park! #PAK wins by 129 runs after #UAE finishes 210-8 SCORES http://t.co/4ZORZ1tIxw #PAKvUAE pic.twitter.com/K8pGiNNjvL
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 4, 2015AUS 246-1 (34 OVERS)Australia take their batting power play two overs early and, firing the ball into his pads, Shapoor initially shackles Warner and is unlucky when an inside edge beats fine leg to the boundary. A full toss is then punished by a casual flick for six which takes Warner (167*) to his highest ODI score.
AUS 248-1 (35 OVERS)Really good set from Hassan, who gets a few yorkers in and restricts Australia to just two off the over. Why do teams not think about going to this length until the power play? He nearly gets Smith too, with an 145kmph inswinger which gets underneath that high back lift and just misses off stump.
AUS 266-1 (36 OVERS)That Hassan over was brief respite from the boundary bashing and Smith starts us off with a sublime lofted six, showing the full face of the bat and a cheeky grin on his face as it flies over the sight screen. Warner cuts a waist-high full toss for four and finds the same boundary to finish an 18-run over.
AUS 273-1 (37 OVERS)This mammoth 259-run partnership is now Australia's highest in ODIs. Hassan again keeps things tight in comparison, with Smith's guide to the point fence the only substantial damage.
AUS 274-2 (37.3 OVERS)WICKET! DAVID WARNER caught NABI bowled SHAPOOR 178(133)
There will be no double-century for Warner today as he skies one trying to launch Shapoor towards cow corner. It goes straight up, and captain Nabi gets under it and clings onto a steepler. Another outrageous innings lights up this World Cup. Not AB class, but a knock off supreme dominance.
AUS 278-2 (38 OVERS)Smith nearly follows Warner next ball when his aerial flick falls just short of mid-wicket. He then shows the most incredible wrists to divert Shapoor's yorker for four through third man.
AUS 286-2 (39 OVERS)With only 11 overs left, Michael Clarke drops himself down the order and sends in Glenn Maxwell. 'The Big Show' gets off the mark with a lofted reverse sweep for four off the returning Nabi.
AUS 299-2 (40 OVERS)Australia knocking on the door of 300 with 10 overs to go. They will be targeting 420 plus from here. Maxwell has taken no time to get going and backs away to flail two off-side fours.
AUS 310-2 (41 OVERS)Nabi is really fizzing them in, but gets it wrong final two balls as Maxwell smashes two full bungers deep into the crowd. An extra cover drive from Smith (92*) was one for the purists.
AUS 325-2 (42 OVERS)Maxwell rudely lifts Dawlat over the off-side ring with what was more of a switch hit than a reverse sweep, changing his stance and then picking the slower ball to flick it for four. The bowler responds well with a couple of yorkers, but he has now gone for 90 off nine, having been 1-9 off three.
AUS 340-3 (43 OVERS)WICKET! STEVE SMITH caught NAJIBULLAH bowled SHAPOOR 95(98)
Smith throws away the chance of a century as he tamely picks out mid-off. Nonetheless, though, his 95 off 98 balls brought important control and was an excellent foil for Warner and now Maxwell.
AUS 350-3 (44 OVERS)FIFTY! Maxwell gets the reverse out again to go to a 21-ball half-century, three balls shy of the fastest in World Cup history. His reverse scoop off Shapoor in the last over was even more impressive. James Faulkner has joined him and Australia ominously have their two finishers at the crease.
AUS 366-3 (45 OVERS)Faulkner flashes at a wide one and the edge flies over short third-man to get him going. The next boundary from Maxwell is incredible. Not even the slightest hint of foot movement, he just stands tall and flicks over square-leg for six. Shapoor ends with harsh figures of 10-0-89-2.
AUS 382-3 (46 OVERS)Nabi does all that he can to keep Maxwell on his toes, changing his pace dramatically, but the Aussie all-rounder still manages to slog two maximums over long-on, not even out of the middle. Four overs left and the World Cup record of 413 seems like a strong possibility.
AUS 382-4 (46.1 OVERS)WICKET! JAMES FAULKNER bowled HASSAN 7(6)
Hassan bowls Faulkner with an almost unplayable yorker which cannons into middle stump long before the bat could get down. A deserved wicket considering how well he has responded to an awful first spell.
AUS 386-4 (47 OVERS)Mitchell Marsh is the new man and quickly gets Maxwell on strike. He is denied another boundary by an athletic piece of fielding by Shenwari and only four runs come off the over.
AUS 390-5 (47.2 OVERS)WICKET! GLENN MAXWELL caught NABI bowled DAWLAT 88(39)
The Maxwell show comes to an end as he cannot lift a Dawlat slower ball over Nabi at cover. He needed 16 off 12 balls to reach the fastest World Cup century and seems a bit peeved to have missed out. Cheer up, Glenn - 88 off 39 balls with seven sixes - you've done alright. Innovation and power at its most deadly.
AUS 397-5 (48 OVERS)Clarke continues to shuffle himself down and even if there is another wicket to fall I expect we'll see Mitchell Johnson. It is Brad Haddin for now and a classy late cut brings him four.
AUS 403-5 (49 OVERS)Just the six singles off the 49th over, but enough to take Australia past 400. Hassan finishes with 1-70 off 10, having done more than admirably bowling in the power play and at the death.
Massive! 400 up for #AUS! What can they end on? One over left! #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/PvnPDX8twS
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 4, 2015AUS 417-6 (50 OVERS)WICKET! MITCHELL MARSH caught NAJIBULLAH bowled MANGAL 8(9)
Marsh is caught on the boundary off the final ball, after Brad Haddin (20 not out) had seen the Aussies pass the World Cup record score of 413. A miscount from captain Nabi leaves the loopy off-spin of Nawroz Mangal to come on for the last over, but at least he picked up a wicket for the trouble of 14 runs.
10.25amScores of 400 plus in consecutive days, this really is a batsman's game now. But my oh my, how David Warner and Glenn Maxwell played it to help the Aussies break the record for highest World Cup score.
10.30amWarner's 178 was not of the class of De Villiers or the quantity of Gayle, but it was a complete domination of a bowling attack. Having said that, the Afghans bowled pretty well in the power play and at the death, only for the equally innovative and explosive Maxwell to hit 88 off 39 rocks. Wow.
10.35amA mention too of course for Steve Smith, whose more relaxed 95 was the perfect foil for Warner and Maxwell. He stepped seamlessly into the number three spot created by Shane Watson's omission.
10.38amNo outing for Michael Clarke, who is badly in need of some time at the crease, but seemed pretty happy sitting back and watching from the balcony. I wonder if he will open against Scotland at the weekend?
10.41amChasing this down will be an impossible task for Afghanistan, but they will at least hope to do themselves justice, as they largely did in that first innings despite the collateral damage. They have bowlers with pace and skill and were enthusiastic and competent in the field right up until the death.
10.44amTheir turn on this WACA deck will begin shortly. Not that I'm purposefully patronising them, but a score to watch out for is 150. That would see them avoid the heaviest ever World Cup defeat of 257 runs.
10.45amHere we go then. Mitchell Starc to bowl to Javed Ahmadi. Two slips and a bat pad. Play!
AFG 7-0 (1 OVER)Movement back into the right-handed Ahmadi straight away from Starc. He fends at one outside off stump and gets four on the ground through first slip. He survives a close lbw call and then a couple of run out scares. Clearly some nerves among the Afghan openers and that is understandable!
AFG 8-0 (2 OVERS)The recalled Josh Hazelwood starts at the other end and bowls a tight line on off stump or around, with some swing in the air. Ahmadi works the straighter ball around the corner for a single.
AFG 9-0 (3 OVERS)Ahmadi gets himself out of the firing line by running one down. Ghani is more willing to get in behind the ball and gets forward to defend Starc, who has been outstanding so far this World Cup.
AFG 16-0 (4 OVERS)Eighteen-year-old Ghani, the youngest player at the tournament, looks organised and strokes through cover for two and pushes into the leg-side for a couple more off Hazelwood.
AFG 22-0 (5 OVERS)Still without a boundary, Afghanistan take six off Starc's third over. Ahmadi escapes chopping on trying to dab Starc down to third-man. Ghani is picking gaps on both sides of the wicket.
These #AFG fans are behind their team 100 percent in this mammoth run chase tonight! #AUSvAFG https://t.co/MHBYYldFvg
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 4, 2015AFG 25-0 (6 OVERS)Three off a Hazelwood over which included two wides. This third seamer spot is a bit of a problem area for Australia, with Hazelwood battling for form and Pat Cummins struggling with injury.
AFG 30-1 (7 OVERS)WICKET! USMAN GHANI caught FAULKNER bowled JOHNSON 12(19)
Ghani makes nice contact with a flick off Mitchell Johnson, but he cannot keep it down and Faulkner takes a simple catch in close on the leg-side. He had looked the more comfortable of the Afghan batsmen, and is a little unlucky to pick the man out, but Australia are rewarded for having catchers in close. Johnson into the attack with pace, bounce, swing and now a wicket, after conceding five extras to start.
AFG 32-2 (8 OVERS)WICKET! JAVED AHMADI caught CLARKE bowled HAZELWOOD 13(24)
The other Afghan opener is quickly back in the hutch. Ahmadi again tries to run the ball down, but is undone by the extra bounce and ends up fending one through to Michael Clarke at second slip. A much-needed wicket for Hazelwood. Asghar Stanikzai and Nawroz Mangal are the two new batsmen.
AFG 35-2 (9 OVERS)Stanikzai has come out swinging. His first shot is a nice cut which is brilliantly stopped by Warner diving at point, but the rest are ugly heaves and Johnson chuckles as he misses most by yards.
AFG 44-2 (10 OVERS)Mangal is setting up more traditionally and punches two lovely straight drives down the ground for four. Hazelwood follows up with a bouncer and some words, and Mangal ducks both.
AFG 46-3 (10.2 OVERS)WICKET! ASGHAR STANIKZAI caught SMITH bowled JOHNSON 4(10)
A predictable end to Stanikzai's attempted flurry as he skies one trying to smash Johnson into the stands. Smith ends up taking a really good catch over his shoulder having nearly collided with Marsh, who had an easier angle of approach. I can't decide whether he just had no interest in getting in line to Johnson or actually fancied himself to hit him out of the attack. An entertaining watch, either way.
AFG 46-3 (11 OVERS)Sami Shenwari, the match-winner with his 96 against Scotland, is the new man in. The two batsmen crossed in the air, though, and Mangal survives some short stuff to end the over.
AFG 48-3 (12 OVERS)Captain Clarke decides that he fancies getting involved and he comes on for a roll, perhaps just to show the world he is back to full fitness. It is a tidy over which yields just a couple of singles.
AFG 67-3 (13 OVERS)Nineteen off the over as Mangal tucks into Mitchell Marsh. He takes the all-rounder by surprise by hitting two length balls over the leg-side boundary for sixes, and then plays a more cultured drive through cover for three. Four leg byes add to the score and Marsh takes his cap and trudges away.
AFG 71-3 (14 OVERS)Mangal is not quite as reckless with his aggression as Stanikzai was and he is happy to nudge Clarke around. He gets two with a forceful punch through extra cover as Afghanistan take four.
AFG 79-3 (15 OVERS)Marsh, now 2-0-22-0, turns to some short stuff and Shenwari cashes in as he cuts through point. The ball just about reaches the rope despite the best efforts of the scrambling Warner.
AFG 82-3 (16 OVERS)Afghanistan continue to milk Clarke, perhaps in fear of the alternatives in the Aussie bowling attack. An unconvincing paddle sweep brings two for Mangal, who is on 31 off 28 balls.
AFG 85-3 (17 OVERS)A misfield from Johnson at mid-off adds to Marsh's woes and to make matters even worse it appears that he's picked up an injury. He battles through the over, but I don't think he'll be back.
Mitch Marsh grimacing after appearing to hurt himself while bowling. http://t.co/0vPDBPMzed #AUSvAFG #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/QqhxPMw2IS
— FOX SPORTS Cricket (@FOXCricketLive) March 4, 2015AFG 88-3 (18 OVERS)Clarke is into his fourth over now. Rarely are his one-day spells this long. With Faulkner or Maxwell yet to get a go, this must be a case of proving to everyone just how fit he is feeling.
AFG 93-3 (19 OVERS)Johnson replaces Marsh and works over Shenwari with some short stuff. He brushes off taking one on the chest to throw his arms through a full ball which flies to the mid-off fence.
AFG 94-4 (20 OVERS)WICKET! SAMIULLAH SHENWARI caught JOHNSON bowled CLARKE 17(31)
A wicket for the Aussie captain as he breaks this partnership as it approached 50. Shenwari top edges a sweep which he was never really in position to play and Johnson takes the catch at short fine.
AFG 94-5 (20.1 OVERS)WICKET! NAWROZ MANGAL caught FINCH bowled JOHNSON 33(35)
What a grab from Finch! Mangal tries to fend off a Johnson bouncer and the ball flies off the face of the bat. Finch, not known as one of the better fielders in this excellent Australian unit, leaps to his right to take it two handed on the stretch. Mangal had his fun with Marsh but now has to go for 33.
#CWC15: Super Catch by @AaronFinch5.
Caption this
http://t.co/PlO9lfYMPV #AUSvsAFG pic.twitter.com/7Rw3OGwPve
— cricketnext (@cricketnext) March 4, 2015AFG 96-5 (21 OVERS)Najibullah Zadran walks out to join captain Nabi at the crease. He dangles the bat out at a couple of Johnson deliveries and scampers through for one to get off the mark and off strike.
AFG 97-5 (22 OVERS)A chance now for Faulkner to get some overs under his belt. The left-armer has not bowled since suffering a side strain on this ground against England in the Tri-series final. It is a good start from Australia's usual death specialist, although there are a few concerns as he slips delivering his final ball.
AFG 102-5 (23 OVERS)Afghanistan's 100 comes up with a Johnson wide. Fifty more to avoid that heaviest ever World Cup defeat, which would be unjust as they have largely applied themselves pretty well.
AFG 103-5 (24 OVERS)A single for Nabi begins Faulkner's second and Najibullah blocks back the rest.
AFG 103-6 (25 OVERS)WICKET! MOHAMMAD NABI caught CLARKE bowled MAXWELL 2(10)
The dangers of sweeping at the WACA are demonstrated again as Nabi top edges off the newly-introduced Maxwell and Clarke, anticipating smartly from first slip, comes round to take a simple catch. Nabi reviews, claiming that the ball came off his arm. It did, after it hit the bat, explaining the loop, and he has to go.
AFG 105-6 (26 OVERS)Faulkner continues and gets four balls at new man Afsar Zazai - Afghanistan's wicketkeeper. He finds an edge off the final delivery, but it is wide of third slip and runs down to third-man.
AFG 116-6 (27 OVERS)Clarke sticks with Maxwell. In another situation, he would turn back to Starc here and try to blow Afghanistan away, but Maxwell needs these overs ahead of the latter stages. The Afghans will not mind and, after Zazai picks up three from an off-side punch, Najibullah slaps four down the ground.
AFG 120-6 (28 OVERS)Promising signs for Faulkner as he pushes 140kmph. An effort-ball bouncer is called for a front-foot no-ball, though, and the subsequent free-hit delivery is a wide. I was privately playing 'how many hyphens?' in that sentence. He eventually gets away with it as Zazai hits straight at cover.
AFG 121-6 (29 OVERS)Maxwell rushes through another over which yields only a Najibullah single.
AFG 122-6 (30 OVERS)Now Starc is back in the attack. Maybe it is getting a bit chilly under the lights and Clarke wants to get off. Starc immediately asks questions, but the Afghans survive his initial blitz.
AFG 131-6 (31 OVERS)Najibullah dances down and launches Maxwell for a monstrous six over long-on - 98m according to the Sky Sports technology boffins. That helps him to 24 off 30 balls.
AFG 131-7 (31.1 OVERS)WICKET! NAJIBULLAH ZADRAN bowled STARC 24(31)
That six proved to be a last hurrah for Najibullah as Starc sends him packing with a brutal middle-stump yorker. Afghanistan's tail is now exposed as they look for the 19 needed to avoid a record defeat.
AFG 132-8 (32 OVERS)WICKET! DAWLAT ZARDAN bowled STARC 0(4)
Superb from Starc, who gets in another one of his 150kmph yorkers and it is simply too good for Dawlat, who had been softened up by some short ones and was backing away to a round-the-wicket delivery.
AFG 135-8 (33 OVERS)Clever captaincy by Clarke, giving Hazelwood a second spell to try to pick up a wicket or two with this tail. I don't give Hamid Hassan much chance, considering that he swapped bats with the outgoing batsman. That's a no-no even in Sunday Cricket. He sees out this over, but here comes Starc.
AFG 137-8 (34 OVERS)Sound advice. Why would he bowl anything else? Two off the over before drinks.
Starc should always just bowl 150km/hr yorkers that crash into batsman's stumps. #AUSvAFG #CWC15
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) March 4, 2015AFG 138-8 (35 OVERS)Just a wide off the latest Hazelwood over. Zazai is nine off 36 balls, trying to edge his side to 160. Remember; the biggest World Cup defeat was Bermuda's 257-run loss to India in 2003.
AFG 140-8 (36 OVERS)It is Johnson's turn to have a go at the tail. He is not quite at Starc pace and there is not as much movement either. Nevertheless, he finds a couple of edges which fall short of the four slips.
AFG 140-9 (36.2 OVERS)WICKET! AFSAR ZAZAI caught HADDIN bowled HAZELWOOD 10(40)
Hazelwood gets one to nip back and it catches the thinnest of inside edges on its way through to Haddin, who claims his first victim of the match. Umpire Dharmasena took his time, but eventually the finger went up and Zazai's stubborn vigil ends to leave his side on the brink of a record-breaking defeat.
AFG 142-10 (37.3 OVERS)WICKET! HAMID HASSAN caught WARNER bowled JOHNSON 7(18)
Johnson finishes things off. A short ball arrives on Hassan quickly and he can only miscue it to Warner at mid-on. Shapoor unbeaten on zero. Australia win by 275 runs - their biggest margin of victory in ODIS.
1.30pmAUSTRALIA 417-6 (WARNER 178, SMITH 95, MAXWELL 88) BEAT AFGHANISTAN 142-10 (JOHNSON 4-22) BY 275 RUNS
1.35pmThat margin of victory sets a new World Cup record, eclipsing India's 257-run win over Bermuda in 2003, and while it is harsh on an Afghanistan side who applied themselves fairly well, with the ball especially, Australia were thoroughly dominant from start to finish and this isn't a flattering victory.
1.40pmWarner's crunching 178 set them up for a massive total which was aided to be the control of Steve Smith's 95 and the innovation of Glenn Maxwell's 88. They did not let up in the field, either. Mitchell Johnson ended up with four-for, but Mitchell Starc is the real danger man and he hit his 150kmph yorkers again.
1.44pmAustralia's second Pool A victory puts them in a position where qualification is almost inevitable, as it it was not before. Their match against Sri Lanka on Sunday will be important though, if they wish to avoid a potential quarter-final against South Africa. To win it all, though, you have to beat them all.
1.48pmAfghanistan already have their World Cup victory to their name and playing at the WACA will prove to be a valuable experience for them. They will, though, be hoping to avoid another battering when they face New Zealand on Saturday. They then finish with what could be a crucial game for England.
1.51pm"They played very well," Afghan captain Nabi tells reporters: "Especially their batsmen. Especially Warner, Smith and Maxwell. And their bowlers are the world's fastest. especially on the WACA pitch."
1.54pm"Very good win," smiling Aussie skipper Clarke added in his post-match interview. "Outstanding with the bat. Davey Warner exceptional. Steve Smith beautiful. Glenn Maxwell fantastic.
It was about 11 overs to go and I sent Maxi in ahead of me, with our highest World Cup score opportunity. I was looking to bat at four, but it was best for the team. The way Maxi batted showed I did the right thing."
1.58pmThat's it from me, but I'll be back the next time that the World Cup comes to the WACA as India face the West Indies in Pool B on Friday. Until then, thanks for joining Sports Mole for this one.
