Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc claimed 4-47 as Australia scored a 66-run win in their one-day international match against Afghanistan in steamy Sharjah early on Sunday morning.
In just their second ODI game against a full-member ICC team, the cricketing minnows were bowled out for a respectable 206 in 43.5 overs in reply to Australia’s 8-272.
Skipper Michael Clarke, in his new position at No.3, won the toss and added 131 with Matthew Wade for Australia’s second wicket.
Wade hit a career-best 75 while Clarke also scored 75.
Both fell in a middle-order collapse of 3-13 which included debutant Glenn Maxwell holing out for two and Clarke departing stumped after a charge down the pitch.
Mike Hussey smashed 49 from 37 balls before he was out in the final over after Australia had meandered to just 5-216 from 45 overs.
Australia struck twice in the first six overs of Afghanistan’s innings as Starc bowled Javed Ahmedi (0) and Karim Sadiq (17).
James Pattinson (3-46) removed Mohammad Shehzad (11) and Nawroz Mangal (0) in the 12th over as Afghanistan slumped to 4-49.
Mohammad Nabi hit 46, sharing an 86-run stand with Asghar Stanikzai.
Afghanistan’s bold run chase suffered a setback when Nabi was bowled by Mitchell Johnson (2-34) in the 31st over.
It took a brilliant diving catch from Clarke at mid-wicket off the bowling of Starc to dismiss Stanikzai, who had been cramping badly in his entertaining innings of 66.
Johnson claimed his second wicket when Najeebullah Zadran was caught behind for a golden duck at 7-166 and Starc bowled Samiullah Shinwari for 14 in the following over.
Gulbadin Naib (22) was caught behind off Pattinson and spinner Xavier Doherty took the final wicket.
The match began at 6pm and went beyond 1.30am to avoid the heat of the day, in the first ODI scheduled to be played over two days. However at midnight the temperature was still 34 with a humidity of 63 per cent.
Australia face Pakistan in a three-match ODI series starting on Tuesday in Sharjah.
Starc was named man of the match for his 4-47 off nine overs.
