Geoff Lemon's match report
Summary
What an interesting night. The prelude was full of permutations and calculations, but when David Warner began in top gear everything seemed straightforward.
But sport fascinates us endlessly for its ability to surprise, and as Australia lost wickets at regular intervals and Afghanistan’s seamers delivered perfect yorkers and unpickable slower balls the night’s narrative swung wildly.
Glenn Maxwell ensured Australia retained the upper hand at the break, but the resounding triumph they required to heap pressure on England looked out of reach. Victory of any sort seemed at risk with Afghanistan at 99-2 but that man Maxwell wasn’t finished and his direct hit from long-off changed the night in an instant. Afghanistan went from trading blows with the champs to collapsing on the ropes, staggering to 103-6 in no time.
But still the night wasn’t through. Australia not only failed to mop up the tail and sneak a net run rate boost, they found Rashid Khan in an impish mood and the legspinning allrounder unfurled all manner of improbable strokes to clatter Afghanistan to within two balls of victory.
Now it’s over to England and Sri Lanka in Sydney to determine whether any of it mattered.
Thanks for joining me tonight. Stay tuned for plenty more from this enthralling competition.
