ICC World Cup 2015: Australia bounce back with crushing victory over Afghanistan

Australia registered a crushing victory over Afghanistan in a Group A clash of the 2015 ICC World Cup at the Western Australia Cricket Association Ground in Perth, on Wednesday.

The Asian side won the toss and Mohammad Nabi elected to bowl first. Their decision paid off quickly as Aaron Finch was dismissed cheaply, in the third over. The co-host nation had dropped Shane Watson and replaced him with James Faulkner, who missed the earlier fixtures due to injury.

In Watson's absence, Steven Smith was promoted high up the order. He, along with opening batsman David Warner put a first wicket partnership of 260 runs. Warner was on the course of a double hundred, before he was dismissed on 178, which came off 133 balls.

Following the left-handed batsman's dismissal, Smith fell five runs short of a World Cup century. Glen Maxwell then kept the score board ticking as his quick 88 off 39 balls, which included six 4's and seven 6's helped Australia post a mammoth total of 417 runs.

In reply, Afghanistan were struggling to face the Australian pace attack that includes the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 142 runs, resulting in a victory of 275 runs for Michael Clarke's side.

Johnson picked up four wickets, while Starc and Hazlewood got two each. Najibullah Zadran top scored for Afghanistan with 24 runs.

This is Australia's biggest win in one day cricket, and the biggest margin victory by any team in a World Cup fixture.

The latest win will help Australia bounce back after their disappointing defeat at the hands of New Zealand last weekend. Also, the result has helped them move to third spot on the table with five points after four games.

Warner was named the Man of the Match for his impressive display with the bat at the top of the order.

Australia will next face Sri Lanka in their upcoming fixture in Sydney on Sunday, while Afghanistan take on New Zealand, which is also scheduled on Sunday.