Aussies' crushing win but is it curtains for Watson?
David Warner fell short of becoming the first Australian to score a one-day double century but his monumental feat was overshadowed at the WACA Ground by the potentially career-ending decision to axe Shane Watson.
Warner’s brutal 178 was the mainstay of the World Cup record total of 6-417 which proved far beyond the powers of the gallant but overwhelmed Afghanistan.
They were dismissed for 142, a margin of 275 runs, with Mitch Johnson claiming 4-22 to complement the composed 95 by new No.3 Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell’s breath-taking 88 from 39 balls.
Smith and Aaron Finch also completed splendid catches as Australia lifted their intensity and performance after two weeks that featured a washout and tight loss.
The match against Sri Lanka at the SCG on Sunday is likely to determine whether Australia finish in the top half of the Pool A finalists and play all their finals at home.
While Warner overcame a scratchy start to march implacably towards the highest score by any Australian in World Cups and third-highest in all one-day internationals, Smith’s success spells extreme jeopardy for Watson’s future prospects.
“He might have to rely on someone else’s lack of form or an injury to get back in,” selection chairman Rod Marsh said.
“Spots are tough to get in the Australian team at the moment but that’s the way we like it.
“If hard decisions have to be made we have to make them.”
Watson averages 50.89 in World Cup matches but Marsh made it clear that his recent inability to convert starts into substantial scores was the key reason for his omission.
The catalyst for the move was the return of dynamic all-rounder James Faulkner but Marsh confirmed that an injury or dramatic loss of form by another player would be required for Watson to win back his place.
“It was a big decision but one that we thought we had to make,” Marsh said.
“In Shane’s last 10 one-day internationals he had scored 220 runs at 22 (actually 245 at 24.50).
“Unfortunately he has been getting starts but has not been going on with it.
“We had to fit James in and so someone had to go and it was Shane’s time to go for this particular match.”
Smith had scored two centuries as well as 95 and 77 in his past six innings at No.3 and his early success in the pivotal position means he is likely to remain there for the foreseeable future.
He and Warner shared a second wicket partnership of 260, the highest by any Australian pair, before both fell on the brink of major milestones.
Warner was superbly caught by Afghanistan captain Mohammed Nabi as he tried to strike a sixth six while Smith chipped a simple catch to mid off.
Flamboyant left-armer Shapoor Zadran was the successful bowler each time.
Marsh would not rule out Watson returning to the team but made it clear that the selectors were eager to see fierce competition for places in the team.
“If things change there is no reason that he will not be back in the 11,” Marsh said.
“He is a fine, fine player who is averaging 40 in one day cricket.
“It was tough decision. No one likes to leave out anyone. He is a fine Australian cricketer and hopefully he will find himself back in the team at some stage.
“It is a good situation to be in when you have both Watson and George Bailey out of the side.
“They are extremely well-credentialled one-day players.”
