Australia hit the highest score in World Cup history on Wednesday when they made 417 for six against Afghanistan at the Waca Ground in Perth, led by David Warner’s 178.
The four-time champions went past the previous best of 413 for five made by India against Bermuda in 2007. They secured victory by 275 runs after bowling out Afghanistan for 142 in 37.3 overs.
It was the third 400-plus total at this World Cup after South Africa twice went through the barrier – 408 for five against the West Indies and 411 for four in the game with Ireland.
There was a surprise at the toss, with experienced all-rounder Shane Watson dropped to allow James Faulkner to return to the Australian team after a side strain, but the onslaught that followed was extremely predictable.
The dashing Warner led the way. Dropped on 114, the left-hander seemed set to compound Watson’s misery by passing his Australian one-day international record of 185 not out against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2011, only to sky a delivery to mid-on from the bowling of Shapoor Zadran (two for 89).
He had faced 133 balls, hitting 19 fours and five sixes.
Warner’s assault on the Afghan bowlers brought back memories of Matthew Hayden plundering a weak Zimbabwe attack for an Australian Test record of 380 at the same venue in 2003.
Although Warner fell shy of the overall ODI individual record, he passed the previous mark for the highest innings by an Australian at the Waca Ground, which previously belonged to Damien Martyn for his 144 against Zimbabwe in 2001.
Warner and Steve Smith, who made 95, also set a new benchmark for an Australian partnership in ODI cricket with their 260-run second-wicket stand from 209 balls.
The pair passed the previous record of 252 set by Watson and Ricky Ponting against England in South Africa in 2009.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell then chimed in with a quick 88 off 39 balls, including seven sixes, before being well caught at mid-off from the bowling of Dawlat Zadran (two for 101) in the 48th over.
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