David Warner and Steve Smith returned to international cricket on Saturday to see Australia through to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in their World Cup opener at Bristol\u2019s County Ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia, whose captain Aaron Finch contributed 66 runs off 49 balls, reached 209 for three in the 35th over, ensuring a winning start to the defence of their World Cup crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, Afghanistan recovered from a disastrous start in their World Cup opener against defending champions Australia to post a brave total of 207 in Bristol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Warner top-scored with an unbeaten 89 while Smith made 18 as Australia easily chased down a modest target after Afghanistan, who won the toss and elected to bat, were bowled out for 207.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pair were back for their first official one day international after year-long bans following a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gulbadin Naib, captain of the rank outsiders, took the bold decision to bat in warm conditions in the southwest of England, hoping to amass a score his spin bowlers could defend on the small ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the decision backfired badly, with both openers departing for ducks as Afghanistan slipped to five for two in the second over and looked on course for a humiliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa broke the partnership with a beautifully flighted delivery that brought Shahidi forward and beat the batsman, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey whipping off the bails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steve Smith denied Shah a World Cup fifty, taking a catch at short cover off the bowling of Zampa to send him back to the pavilion for 43 off 60 balls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mohammad Shahzad was bowled by Mitchell Starc in the opening over of the match and Hazratullah Zazai quickly followed, caught behind by wicket-keeper Alex Carey off Pat Cummins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With their team in deep trouble, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi led a fight back for the minnows, playing in only their second World Cup, putting on a gritty 51 for the third wicket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the next over, former skipper Smith dived to his left to stop a drive from Mohammad Nabi, returning the ball smartly to Carey, who whipped off the bails with the batsman stranded, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 77-5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The big hits brought the knots of Afghan supporters to their feet and a line of flag-waving fans ran along the front of one of the stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zadran brought up his 50 off 46 balls with an edge over the slips off a sharp Starc bouncer. But their momentum was slowed the next ball when Naib top-edged a short delivery form Marcus Stoinis and Carey completed the catch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just four balls later another Stoinis short ball dismissed Zadran, with Carey again taking the catch to reduce Afghanistan to 162-7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rashid Khan smashed 20 in a Stoinis over to lift the spirits of the Afghan fans and another driven six off Zampa brought up the 200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was lbw to the next ball and the innings ended after 38.2 overs when Mujib Ur Rahman was bowled by Cummins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As expected, Smith and opener David Warner were both included for their first full major international match since they completed year-long bans imposed after a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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