Australia have defeated a gallant Afghanistan by 275 in their Pool B match of the 2015 Cricket World Cup at the WACA in Perth on Wednesday night. 275 runs is the largest margin of victory Australia has ever recorded.
Big innings’ by David Warner, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell guided Australia to a World Cup record total as 400 was surpassed for the third time in the tournament. Mitchell Johnson bowled well claiming 4/22 on the bouncy wicket.
David Warner lost his opening partner Aaron Finch early as Australia were sent in to bat by the Afghanis. Finch was caught well in slips off a Shapoor Zadran seamer for 4 runs in the third over.
Warner was joined by Steve Smith at three in place of the dropped Shane Watson. Smith was keen for time in the middle after a poor start to the tournament. The two delivered with an epic 260-run, 2nd wicket partnership that lasted 35 overs.
Against some tight bowling, both batsmen patiently knocked the ball to all corners of the WACA ground. Warner was destructive as he picked the right balls to chase, smashing through the line with his ferocious power. He brought up his hundred in 92 balls which included 11 boundaries.
It was at this point the Aussie pocket-rocket really opened his shoulders, launching 8 more boundaries and 5 massive sixes in 41 balls to race to 178 (133). Warner was halted after skying a Shapoor Zadran slower ball. Warner’s innings is the highest score in a World Cup by an Australian batsman and the 5th highest by any batsman.
“It’s was good to get out there and bat well today, and more importantly, to get the win,” Warner commented after the match.
Steve Smith showed glimpses of the form displayed throughout the Summer. Smith fell agonisingly short of a well-earned century after scooping a delivery to deep mid-wicket off the bowling of the impressive Shapoor Zadran. Smith’s 95 (98) will restore some confidence ahead of Australia’s next match against Sri Lanka.
Glenn Maxwell was licking his lips as he walked to the crease. He opened his innings with a trademark reverse sweep for four runs. Maxwell continued the insult, smashing the fastest 50 runs by an Australian from 21 balls including 5 boundaries and 4 sixes. He was caught out chasing a quick century after Dawlat Zadran again weaved his magic with a clever change of pace.
The two Zadrans both claimed 2 wickets each for Afghanistan, but at a cost of 190 runs from their 20 overs. The Afghanis were energetic in the field, showing great resolve against the demoralising Aussie onslaught.
Afghanistan were never really in the hunt, but did dispatch a number of deliveries to the boundary and beyond. Mitchell Marsh felt the sting in his first two overs, going for 22 runs. Marsh again looked to be suffering from a leg injury, leaving the field after struggling to complete an over.
Mitchell Johnson bounced-back from a walloping last match with an impressively pacey 4/2 from 7.2 overs. Mitchell Starc fired late with some super-swinging yorkers to help clean up the tail. Starc finished with 2 wickets, as did Josh Hazlewood (2/25).
There were many talking points in the match, none more poignant than Michael Clarke deciding not to bat. The Australian captain sent out three other batsman in front of himself, though he did bowl 5 overs at 0/14.
“We set a really good standard for ourselves. Much improved from our game against New Zealand which was important,” Clarke commented after the match.
“I was thinking about coming in at number four… I would have like to have a bat for my own individual form, but I think it was the right decision for the team to send out Maxy ahead of me.”
Photo: AFP
