|| Sport Correspondent || 

Australia opener David Warner scored a brilliant unbeaten half-century to help them began their World Cup campaign on perfect note as they defeated Afghanistan by seven-wicket in their opening game of the tournament on Saturday.

Australia reached 209-9 in 34.5 overs on the back Warner’s workman-like 89 runs while skipper Aaron Finch made 66.   

It wasn't an easy initiation to World Cup 2019 for Afghanistan. Finding it difficult against Australia's pace and bounce in Bristol, they went on to be bowled out for 207 in 38.2 overs but not without a fight, much like we have come to expect from them. Najibullah Zadran scored run-a-ball fifty to revive them from 77 for 5, and Rashid Khan's 11-ball 27 raced the score past 200, giving their host of spinners a shot at defending the score.

However it looked too easy for the Aussies after openers Finch and Warner set the platform for them with a 96-run stand after Aussie skipper Finch was removed by his Afghan counterpart Gulbadin Naib.

However, Warner added another 60 runs with Usman Khawaja to make sure they have firm control over the match.