Journalism of Courage
It was Australia all the way as the co-hosts thumped Afghanistan by 275 runs at the WACA. (Source: Reuters)
After electing to bowl first, Afghanistan were off to a good start when Aaron Finch departed early at the hands of Dawlat Zadran. (Source: AP)
From there on though, things went downhill for the Afghan side as David Warner fired all cylinders, and stitched a brisk stand with Steve Smith. The Australian opener put up a career best 178. (Source: AP)
Smith help up the other end as Warner went on the offensive. Smith and Warner put up a stand of 260 runs before Warner departed with Australia well placed at 274/2. (Source: AP)
Smith succumbed to the nervous nineties after putting up a brilliant 95 and left Glen Maxwell to finish the job with Australia at 339/3, with more than 7 overs to go. (Source: AP)
Maxwell then did what he does, his fiery 88 came of an astonishing 39 balls as he set Australia up to finish at 417/6 in their allotted 50 overs. (Source: AP)
In reply Afghanistan lost an early wicket as Mitchell Johnson removed Usman Ghani. (Source: AP)
The collapse commenced from there on out with Ghani gone for just 12. (Source: AP)
It was only a matter of time before Australia plundered through the Afghanistan middle order and exposed the tail with wickets falling at regular intervals. (Source: AP)
Even captain Michael Clarke got in on the act picking up the wicket of in-form batsman Shenwari. (Source: AP)
The collapse was complete by the 38th over as Afghanistan ended at a slightly embarrassing 142. The margin of victory stood at nearly double Afghanistan's score at 275 as the Aussies recovered in handsome fashion from their loss to New Zealand. (Source: AP)
