Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc came close to helping Australia defeat New Zealand. [Getty]

Australia will take on Afghanistan in a Group A clash of the 2015 ICC World Cup at Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth, on Wednesday.

Where to Watch Live

The match starts at 6.30am GMT. Live coverage is on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD. Click here for the live streaming link.

Overview

Australia suffered their first defeat of the World Cup after losing the last match against co-host nation New Zealand at Auckland. The visitors won the toss and Michael Clarke decided to bat first.

They had a very good start and had lost only one wicket, with 80 runs on the board. However, they lost eight wickets for 26 runs from there and Brad Haddin's knock of 43 helped them reach a total of 151 runs.

In reply, New Zealand had a very good star as their skipper Brendan McCullum's 50 off 24 balls put them in a firm position to win the match. However, the Black Caps also had a collapse and in the end needed six runs with one wicket in hand. It was Kane Williamson's six that helped New Zealand keep their unbeaten record in the tournament intact.

Samiullah Shenwari
Samiullah Shenwari appeals for an LBW against Tamim Iqbal. [Reuters]

Meanwhile, Afghanistan also registered their first win of the World Cup by defeating Scotland by one wicket in their last fixture. The Scots' managed 210 runs and were on course to win the match. However, it was not to be as Samiullah Shenwari's knock of 96 helped the Asian side seal a victory.

Prediction

Australia to win

Betting Odds (888Sport.com)

  • Australia to win: 1/41
  • Afghanistan to win: 14

Team News

Australia

Possible XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (C), Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (WK), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

Afghanistan

Possible XI: Javed Ahmadi, Nawroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wk), Aftab Alam, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran

Australia Afghanistan