Australia Annihilate Afghanistan with a World Cup Record

The Cricket World Cup has provided many memorable matches so far with some of the top teams teeing off with the bat. Australia’s annihilation of Afghanistan was set up by their batsman who belted the ball to all areas of the ground. But the Aussies aren’t the only side who have slaughtered a bowling attack at the tournament. While plenty of nations have nailed more than a run a ball total of 300 plus there have been four scores of above 350, three surpassed 400.

Top Totals at this Tournament

Australia’s 417 runs off their 50 overs against Afghanistan was the second highest One Day International total in history; however it was the best total ever produced at the World Cup beating India’s 413 against Bermuda at the 2007 Competition. Australia then restricted their opponents to just 142 to also record the biggest runs winning margin in World Cup History.

South Africa has hit the tournament’s other two 400 plus totals. The Proteas racked up the ridiculous scores in successive matches, making 408 against West Indies before bettering that effort by 3 runs against Ireland. The innings against the Irish is South Africa’s highest One Day score at a World Cup and was the second best total in World Cup history until Australia relegated them to third place.

The West Indies couldn’t quite manage 8 runs an over against Zimbabwe earlier in the competition. Still 372 is the Caribbean country’s best One Day International score. It was the fifth highest World Cup team total at the time; it’s now number eight on the list.

Amazing Individual Efforts

While they don’t have the top total the West Indians do have the man with the highest Individual World Cup score. With his knock against Zimbabwe Chris Gayle became the first player to hit a double century at a World Cup and just the fourth in history to reach a double ton. His 215 is the third highest individual score in One Day International Cricket behind Indians Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag who amassed 264 and 219 respectively.

David Warner made starts against England and New Zealand in Australia’s first two pool games before getting out; but against Afghanistan he cashed in. The opener punished opponents pummelling 178 of 133 balls. It was the third best One Day Innings by an Australia batsman, but the highest by an Aussie at the World Cup and the fifth top individual score at International Cricket’s top tournament.

But even better than Gayle’s whirlwind effort and Dave’s dynamite innings was AB De Villiers dazzling display against the West Indies. While he only made a mere 162 the world’s best one day batsman remained unbeaten leaving us to wonder what would he have ended on, had he spent more time in the middle. The South African superstar faced just 66 balls and finished with a strike rate of 245. To put that into further perspective he made just 16 runs less than Warner having faced nearly 70 balls fewer.

So will there be more terrific team totals and astonishing individual innings at this World Cup? We’ll have to wait and see…