Cricket World Cup 2019: Australia breeze past Afghanistan in seven-wicket victory

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Touted as a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup, Afghanistan failed to live up to their billing as Australia cruised to a comfortable victory in Bristol on Saturday.

    The Asian outfit opted to bat first and were put to the sword by Aussie quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins as both openers went for ducks.

    The innings then featured periods of setbacks and fight-backs but the former were too damaging and Afghanistan were all-out for 207 in under 39 overs with Cummins and Adam Zampa picking up three wickets each.

    In response, Australia captain Aaron Finch extinguished any hope the opposition would’ve had for a few early wickets as he went after the bowling, scoring 66 off 49 balls and leaving his side in a commanding position of 96/1 in the 17th over.

    David Warner had a difficult start to his innings but battled through it and with the help of Usman Khwaja (15) and Steven Smith (18) along the way, got Australia over the line with 91 balls to spare.

    His unbeaten 89 off 114 was less spectacular and more determined but catered to the circumstances.

    TAKEAWAY

    Afghans fearless but reckless

    Choosing to bat first was a bold call in itself from Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib, backing his side to post a challenging target for the Aussies to chase. It certainly seemed ill-advised when they were reeling at 5/2 during the second over but credit to them for not collapsing altogether.

    Rahmat Shah showed great fortitude to keep the runs ticking over at one end and found a little support from Hashmatullah Shahidi but he was lured into the trap set for him, driving Zampa on the up for Steve Smith to catch.

    Then at 77/5, it looked as if the Afghans would struggled to reach three figures but Naib and Najibullah Zadran went about their business as if oblivious to their predicament at the time. The latter – audaciously – even went after the threatening Zampa, dispatching him for 22 runs in one over with successive boundaries followed by back-to-back sixes.

    The duo put on a defiant 83-run partnership but bizarrely threw away their respective wickets in quick succession. With 17 overs to play, both batsmen departed trying to go for big shots. Just like that, with a couple of reckless decisions, Afghanistan were up against it again at 162/7.

    However, Rashid Khan bravely took his side on the offensive again and his knock of 27 from 11 deliveries that included three sixes helped cross the 200-mark.

    Afghanistan’s fearlessness held them in good stead but every time they managed to get a foothold in their innings, they ceded the advantage to Australia again.

    Naib and Najibullah

    KEY PLAYER

    David Warner

    Hardly a vintage Warner innings but he was determined to bat through the innings and that’s precisely what he did. In fairness to Afghanistan, they did bowl excellently to him.

    The southpaw is renowned for his strength on the offside but they bowled very straight to him, cramping him for room to extend his arms. It limited his shot-making but Warner has a good head on his shoulders and with Finch striking the ball well at the other end, there was no need for him to be under pressure chasing just 208.

    His knock featured eight boundaries but also showed superb composure. He adapted to the circumstances and didn’t let his scoring rate rush him into doing something reckless.

    He’ll be a tad disappointed with his slow start though which ultimately kept him from what could’ve been a century to begin his World Cup campaign.

    STAT OF THE MATCH

    Five for Carey

    Alex Carey has widely been identified as the weak link in the Australian side coming into this World Cup but while he didn’t get the opportunity to silence his critics with the bat, he certainly made for a safe pair of hands behind the stumps.

    The wicketkeeper picked up five dismissals during the Afghanistan innings. Only Adam Gilchrist and Sarfraz Ahmed have taken more in a single World Cup match (six).

    Carey took four catches and made one stumping while he was also involved in the run out that dismissed Mohammad Nabi.

    Alex Carey

    Recommended