ICC Cricket World Cup 2015- Australia vs Afghanistan: Player Ratings
After a narrow 1-wicket loss to co-hosts New Zealand at the Eden Park on Saturday, four time World Champions Australia were back in their elements, thrashing minnows and new entrants Afghanistan by a mammoth margin of 275 runs at the WACA in Perth today. In a one-sided encounter, the Afghans fell victim to David Warner and Glenn Maxwell’s brutal assault as Australia registered their biggest ODI win.
Here are the Player Ratings of all the 22 players who took the field in game number 26 of the event:
David Warner- 10/10
The Man of the Match scored a career best 178 after the early dismissal of opening partner Aaron Finch. He struck 19 fours and 5 sixes in 133 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 133.8. Looking well on course for the tournament’s second double century after Chris Gayle, the left-hander fell to Shapoor Zadran in the 38th over.
Aaron Finch- 2/10
The opener could manage only 4 runs in 9 balls and was Dawlat’s first victim, caught by Mangal at 1st slip. He took the catch of the match to dismiss the highest Afghan scorer Nawroz Mangal however.
Steve Smith- 9/10
Coming in at number 3 after Shane Watson was dropped from the squad, the youngster, who had managed only 9 runs in 2 WC games so far, scored 95 in 98 deliveries and was unlucky to miss out on a well desereved century, getting caught at mid off. He shared a record 260-run partnership with Warner for the 2nd wicket – the highest partnership for two Australian batsmen in an ODI.
Glenn Maxwell- 10/10
Maxwell, combining with Smith after Warner’s dismissal in the 38th over, raced to a 39-ball 88, with 6 fours and 7 sixes at an unbelievable strike rate of 225.61. He was successful with the ball as well, picking up captain Mohammad Nabi’s wicket.
James Faulkner- 2/10
Returning from an injury, Faulkner replaced Shane Watson in the final 11, but could only make 7 runs in 6 deliveries. He went wicketless as well, bowling his 4 overs for 8 runs.
Mitchell Marsh- 1/10
The all-rounder, coming in to bat in the 48th over, scored only 8 runs and proved to be the most expensive Aussie bowler going for 25 runs in his 3 overs.
Brad Haddin- 4/10
The wicketkeeper played yet another quickfire innings making 20 in only 9 balls, which ensured that the target was well above 400 for the Afghans.
Mitchell Starc- 7/10
The hero of the last game against New Zealand, where his career best haul of 6/28 went in vain, Starc scalped 2 wickets in 6 overs with an economy rate of 3. He was replaced by Faulkner after an impressive opening spell and came back to dismiss Najibullah Zadran in his fourth over by bowling the perfect yorker right at the base of the stumps.
Josh Hazelwood- 7/10
Replacing Pat Cummins in the squad, Hazelwood managed 2 wickets, giving only 25 runs in 8 overs.
Mitchell Johnson- 8/10
After a forgettable match against NZ, where he went for 68 runs in 6 overs, Johnson was back in his elements with the ball, destroying the Afghan batting line up by picking up 4 wickets in 7.3 overs at an economy rate of 2.9
Michael Clarke- 2/10
The captain did not get a chance to bat but was proactive on the field, setting aggressive fields for his bowlers, taking 2 catches and even picking up Samiullah Shenwari’s wicket.