Australia v Afghanistan, Group A, Perth

After 50 overs Australia 417 for 6 (Warner 178, Smith 95)

de Afghans won de toss and sent Aus in to bat

David Warner had passed hundred in the 25th over. He breezed past 150 in the 30th. It appeared like he was on cruise control. He might have looked his usual belligerent self when compared with Steven Smith's 98-ball 95, but looked downright tame when Glenn Maxwell came out with reverse sweeps, scoops, flicks blazing.

The foundation, though, is what captains and coaches talk about most and Warner built Australia one that was immensely sturdy. It might well have been the higher priority when his team was put in, but Afghanistan strayed with the new ball, bowling short and slipping either side of the wicket. Cashing in on their mistakes was the most sensible thing Warner could do.

The innings began sedately enough - 19 off 27 in the seventh over - but as the day wore and the bowlers tired from the Perth heat, Warner's star shone brighter and brighter. His 178 off 133 balls is an Australian record in World Cups, his 260-run partnership with Smith is the highest for his country for any wicket, and the 417 for 6 he helped put up beat the previous World Cup best score by four runs.

Cashing in was also what Maxwell did, although his methods were far flashier. Yet, you're allowed to play outrageous shots behind the wicket off genuine fast bowlers when you walk in at 274 for 2 in the 38th over. A wide and low full toss from Shapoor Zadran was reverse flicked to the third man boundary and left his captain Michael Clarke open-mouthed in the dressing room. An almost-yorker was whipped over square leg and the lack of footwork actually helped the shot. If those lengths were dispatched with such disdain, imagine what he would have done to the spinners who bowled in the slot? Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi was clattered for a couple of sixes in the third over Maxwell faced and suffered the same fate in the 46th over as well. In spite of such breathtaking strokes, Maxwell still couldn't break his century duck and was out for 88 off 39 balls.

In reply Afg are 17/0 after 4

Hey Downie .... we must've started a thread at the same time ..... I'll delete mine 

Didn't watch the AUS innings .. but obviously a runs fest ...as expected !!

AFG made a good start but are now 35/2 after 8.4 ov

Mangal lashing Josh ....

Mitch March copping it .... back to back SIXES and then three runs ...

Got to give Mangal credit for playing the way he is .......

AFG 67/3 after 13 ov

Comms said some of these Afghani guys grew up playing their cricket in refugee camps ... now they're on the big stage playing at the WACA in the World Cup ... Big up to them 

Come on AFG .... you're up against the big boys and this is a foregone conclusion ... but showcase your skills and determination.

Toby Radford is looking for a new young player and hey who knows ... IPL beckons to make a decent income !!!

Oooh nasty one by Mr Mo and replies with a boundary

AFG 93/3 after 19 ov

What a catch by Finch .... a screamer !!!

Oh well dis done in no time .....

AFG 94/5

AFG 140/9  ......... and I'm done watching this

Well Australia broke the record for the highest odi total in a world cup match with a very commanding batting display against Afghanistan. It was a brutal assault of the Afghan bowlers and the Aussies managed to bowl them out for less than 200 runs.