AFG VS AUS - Match 4, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Not a particularly competitive day at the World Cup. The first game was bizarrely devoid of competition with the Lankans being decimated by the Kiwis. Coming to this game, Afghanistan put up some fight but they were always well short of runs with the bat and hence, never really in the game. Surely a learning experience for them and they will hope to get better. For Australia, there couldn't have been a better start to the tournament. From the World Cup's point of view, let's hope we got more close games. Let tomorrow's clash between South Africa and Bangladesh be one for starters. On that note, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of my mates Raju Peethala, Sriram AS, Varun Dixit and Sreenivas. Cheers!

Finch: There's always a bit of nerves. Guys have been building up for this since a month now. Good to get a win and to get the on-field nerves away. Wickets in the Powerplay are key for any side. Got a couple early and then they played well actually. A run out and a couple of wickets helped. Did lose it a bit at the end but overall, we did well. (On his dismissal) Yeah, it felt good to get some runs and that was probably a ball that I was waiting for, hence got a bit frustrated. (On Warner's return to form) Extremely important. He was struggling initially but he hung on. It was always going to be difficult for the new batsman, so he got stuck in and then got rewarded. (Whether Australia thought about boosting NRR) In such situations, it's important not to get too far ahead. They have some world class spinners, so if you take things for granted, you're playing with fire.

Naib: They are a champion side, so you cannot afford to make any mistakes against them. Since we didn't have a good start, we were on the back foot but Rahmat and Nabi tried to repair things. But their pacers at good speeds kept pegging us back. Good to see our fast bowlers doing well, especially Hamid. I am hoping that upcoming pitches offer some more help for the spinners. Maybe towards the middle of the tournament. Still, I would credit Rashid and Mujeeb for the way they bowled on these tracks.

Warner, Man of the Match: Great win and we hope to keep the ball rolling. I think there were some nerves getting to the training and then coming out today. Got relaxed once Finchy started to get going. The way I started out today, I had to take time to move my feet and get my head into position, considering that I had only played T20 cricket over the last one year. Us batters like to see that (some help for the bowlers). Need to keep our nerves and look to see through that period. It's a different contrast from the team back then (in 2015). There was more experience at that point but this squad also has great energy in it.

19:19 Local Time, 18:19 GMT, 23:49 IST: Clinical start to the tournament for the defending champions. 207 was always under-par and Afghanistan's only real chance at having a crack was to pick early wickets. Finch had other ideas though, and the Australian skipper's early counter-attack stunned Afghanistan who lost the plot thereafter. His antics allowed Warner to bide his time and the southpaw anchored the chase with a unusually sedate unbeaten fifty on his international comeback. With the openers clicking, it was only a matter of when Australia would finish the game and they did so with 91 balls left. Afghanistan tried but didn't have enough on the board to start with and the fielding was shockingly poor, especially Shahzad of whom serious questions need to be asked. Australia's bowlers set up the win with a collective effort earlier in the afternoon and if not for lower middle order standing up, Afghanistan could have faced embarrassment. They would be happy with the fight shown but need improvement if they are to threaten the big boys.

Mujeeb to Maxwell, FOUR, well, no prizes for guessing, in case you were planning to. Maxwell seals a dominating win for Australia! Floated up in the slot and he unleashes the long levers to club this over the infield at extra cover. Speeds away to the fence

Glenn Maxwell, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Right, Maxi is in and Australia just a hit away. Any guesses?

Mujeeb to Smith, out Caught by Hazratullah Zazai!! A bit of an anti-climax. A wicket just before the home run. There was extra bounce on this one and that surprised Smith who was looking to cash in on the width. Ends up slicing it to short third man. Zazai, surprisingly, holds onto it. Considering the kind of day he has had in the field, it's a surprise for sure. Smith c Hazratullah Zazai b Mujeeb 18(27) [4s-1]

Mujeeb to Smith, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Mujeeb to Smith, no run, flighted up and Smith drives but picks out the cover fielder

Mujeeb to Warner, 1 run, flatter and follows Warner who was backing away, driven down the ground to long-on

Mujeeb to Warner, no run, fuller and outside off, blocked off the front foot down the track

Rashid Khan to Warner, 1 run, sliding in on the pads, Warner works it to mid-wicket where Zazai continues to have a horror day. Another fumble

Rashid Khan to Warner, no run, flatter and on off, Warner hangs back and tucks it to mid-wicket

Rashid Khan to Smith, 1 run, floated up and wider outside off, driven down the ground to long-off

Rashid Khan to Warner, 1 run, slightly short and outside off, crunched off the back foot to sweeper cover

Rashid Khan to Warner, 2 runs, fuller on the pads, flicked away on the leg-side for a couple more

Rashid Khan to Warner, no run, fuller and outside off, blocked off the front foot to short cover

Rashid Khan [7.0-0-47-1] is back into the attack