Australia thrash Afghanistan in record-breaking ICC World Cup win

Australia carted the highest ever ICC World Cup total to smash Afghanistan by a record-breaking 275 runs in Western Australia on Thursday.

The hosts made 6/417 from their 50 overs, surpassing India's 413 made against Bermuda in 2007, before dismissing Afghanistan for just 142 to rebound from last Saturday's demoralizing defeat against New Zealand in style.

That meant Australia also beat India and South Africa's record for the largest margin of victory in the prestigious tournament's history, previously set at 257 runs against Bermuda and the West Indies respectively.

Opener Dave Warner provided the platform for Australia's emphatic win, hitting his highest ever ODI score of 178 from 133 deliveries, while Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell also feasted on some wayward bowling.

With the ball, Australia was in constant command, as Mitchell Johnson claimed four wickets to leave their inexperienced opponents reeling.

Afghanistan's decision to field first having won the toss appeared an inspired one when Dawlat Zadran found the edge of Aaron Finch on 5. But it brought Warner and Smith together at the crease and they wouldn't be so forgiving.

Surviving the early bounce on a fast WACA pitch, the pair soon had the run-rate ticking over. While Warner was the aggressor in an Australian record 260-run stand, Smith anchored down at the other end.

If Afghanistan thought Warner's first century was brutal, coming from just 92 deliveries with 11 boundaries, they were in for a nasty surprise.

He then launched a further five over the fence on his way to 178, before eventually skying a pull shot from Shapoor Zadran to end a thrilling innings.

Smith couldn't join Warner in making a century, holing out five runs short on 95, as Australia lost two wickets in just six overs. But Maxwell would ensure the momentum didn't slip away.

With a mix of power and inventiveness, the mercurial all-rounder carted 88 from only 39 balls in a knock that included the World Cup's third-fastest half-century.

Afghanistan simply had no answers and, despite taking three wickets from the final four overs, was unable to prevent Australia from notching the World Cup's highest ever team score, breaking the previous record by four runs.

In reply, Afghanistan was gallant, throwing their bat around early in an attempt to make a decent fist of the run chase. However, ultimately, the target set never appeared a realistic ambition.

Instead, Johnson ripped through the top-order, claiming 4/22 from 7.3 overs. Included in that haul was a terrific diving catch from Finch at first slip to remove Nawroz Mangal, who made an entertaining 33 from 35 deliveries.

Michael Clarke, who is returning from a series of long-term hamstring and back injuries, demoted himself down the order during Australia's innings, not spending any time in the middle.

But the captain did bowl five overs in order to gain match fitness, claiming the wicket of Samiullah Shenwari in the process.

Starc (2/18 from 6 overs) and Hazlewood (2/25 from 8 overs) also took multiple wickets, as Australia cleaned up the Afghani tail to dismiss their opponents 275 runs short of the target for just 142 and get their campaign back on track with an historic win. Endi