Australia beats Afghanistan in Cricket World Cup opener as David Warner, Steve Smith reunite amid boos
Updated
Australia has got its Cricket World Cup defence off to a strong start with a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in Bristol.
Key points:
- David Warner hits composed 89 not out, joined by Steve Smith (18) at the crease as some boos ring out from the crowd
- Australia's World Cup defence begins in straight-forward fashion after dismissing Afghanistan for 207 all out
- Aaron Finch looks in fine form with 66, while Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa took three wickets each
- Full scoreboard
- How the action unfolded in our live blog
Set 208 to win, openers Aaron Finch (66) and David Warner (89 not out) motored along to set the foundation for an easy win with 91 balls to spare against one of the sport's newest Test nations.
The match saw Steve Smith (18) join Warner at the crease to all but complete the chase, amid some boos from the Bristol crowd, as the pair returned to the full international fold for Australia.
Finch looked his aggressive best in his 49-ball knock featuring six fours and four sixes, while Warner's return saw him play the anchor man in a composed knock.
Warner reached his half-century in 74 balls, and was met by the odd jeer from the stands, but it took nothing away from an innings of hard work.
Usman Khawaja fell with 58 runs still to get, LBW to Big Bash star Rashid Khan for 15, while Smith edged to the gully just four runs before victory. Glenn Maxwell came to the middle to complete victory with a four on his only ball faced.
Wickets fell in clusters for Australia's bowlers, though there were three spirited periods of fighting back from the plucky underdogs in the first innings.
In two separate phases of Afghanistan's innings, Rahmat Shah (43) and Najibullah Zadran (50) provided contrasting but effective knocks to keep the minnow's score respectable.
Shah played his shots and looked a composed man with the bat before offering a low catch at cover to Steve Smith off Adam Zampa, before Najibullah smashed Zampa to all corners for an excellent half-ton.
What followed was an entertaining wag of the tail as Adelaide Strikers star Rashid Khan (27 off 11 balls) took on the paceman with a flurry of sixes as Afghanistan suddenly found itself breezing past the 200 mark.
Afghanistan's innings wrapped up at 207 all out, with Zampa taking 3-60, and Pat Cummins 3-40.
Australia next faces the powerful hitters of the West Indies on June 6 in its next World Cup clash at Trent Bridge.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.
Topics: cricket, sport, england, australia, afghanistan
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