Australia marches to record win

Smith was an almost invisible presence as Warner hogged the strike, and the limelight. Warner completed his fourth ODI hundred in 92 deliveries, then upped the pace as 78 came off his last 41. Smith, meanwhile, bridged the gap between balls faced and runs scored with a series of boundaries off Shenwari.

Their partnership had burgeoned to an Australian record 260 with Warner four hits away from Club 200 when Shapoor eventually broke through, Nabi circling around a giant skier at midwicket and holding on to an excellent catch.

Smith was overshadowed for the second time in as many stands when Maxwell arrived in a frenzy of strokeplay. It was here at the WACA, a little over a month back, that Maxwell had regained form in the tri-series final against England. That was a restrained innings, in deference to the match situation; here, he had the license to pummel away.

The reverse hits were both audacious and awe-inspiring, the driving down the ground and over the ropes mesmeric. Fielders on the boundary were reduced to mere spectators as the ball disappeared way over their heads into the crowds.

Smith had been dismissed for 95, giving Shapoor a second wicket of the day, but Maxwell stayed on course for his maiden – and the World Cup’s fastest – hundred until Dawlat foxed him with a back-of-the-hand slower one that was smartly held by Nabi at cover. By then, he had clattered along to 88 off 39. Afghanistan had conceded 118 in the last 10 overs and Australia had passed India’s 413 for 5 in 2007 against Bermuda. Only the formalities remained.

Please click hereto review the match in full in the ICC Match Centre, watch all the video clips from the game, review the scorecard and all of the match coverage.