Perth: Australia hit the highest World Cup score in tournament history on Wednesday as they thrashed Afghanistan by a record 275 runs, a result which was also the greatest winning margin in tournament history.
David Warner made mincemeat of an inexperienced Afghanistan bowling attack with a magnificent 178 as the hosts piled up 417 for six in the group league match of the cricket World Cup here on Wednesday.
Batting first, Australia surpassed India’s 413 for five against Bermuda in 2007.
Afghanistan were never in the match as they were bundled out for 142 in 37.3 overs a few days after their initial high following the Scotland victory.
The pace and bounce extracted by Mitchell Johnson (4/22) was too much for the Afghans to handle as Australia went into the match with business like precision after their one-wicket defeat to New Zealand in a low-scoring tie.
Mitchell Starc (2/18) and Josh Hazlewood (2/25) were also impressive while skipper Michael Clarke did roll his arm over for five overs to get a wicket in the process. For Afghanistan Nawroj Mangal (33) hit two huge sixes off Marsh before Aaron Finch’s brilliant catch off Johnson ended his stay. (PTI)
