Warner’s 166 (147) set up Australia’s 5/381 against Bangladesh on a flat Trent Bridge wicket after captain Aaron Finch won his first toss in eight matches.
Finch’s brilliant direct hit then removed opener Soumya Sarkar and, with wickets hard to come by, it was an important breakthrough in Australia’s 48-run victory.
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The Tigers never threatened in what was Australia’s most convincing win of the tournament.
The 5-1 Aussies jumped to the top of the ladder with the top four seemingly set with 19 matches remaining in a disastrous result for the ICC.
With England, Australia, India and New Zealand all bound for the knockout stage that means coach Justin Langer has the luxury of potentially resting Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins next week.
That would diminish Australia’s blockbuster matches against England and New Zealand at Lord’s but could freshen up the weary quicks as the defending champions hunt a sixth crown.
Starc and Cummins have both declared they want to play every game and tournament organisers would be hoping they get their way, but it has to be looked at.
The format has fizzed with the first half of the tournament marred by rain delays and washouts and the second half stacked with meaningless games.Should we invite more minnows and revert to groups for the 2023 edition in India?
Coach Justin Langer was asked before the Bangladesh if a certain semi-final appearance would alter the way they approach group games against teams also bound for the business end.
He said: “(If we win) ask me again after the game”.
Finch looked surprised when Khawaja replaced him in the 21st over, presumably because that left two left-handers at the crease, but the under-fire batsman responded with 89 (72) to finally tighten his grip on the No.3 position.
The Aussies have opted for left-right combinations this World Cup, with Steve Smith replacing Finch when he was dismissed before Warner against Pakistan last week.
Warne was bemused by coach Justin Langer axing Shaun Marsh instead of Khawaja and picking legspinner Adam Zampa over Nathan Lyon.
After six games Lyon remains the only unused member of Australia’s 15-man squad.
“This very conservative approach by Australia is very odd, especially on a small ground with a super quick outfield and as the ball hasn’t spun or seamed,” Warne tweeted during Warner and Khawaja’s 192-run stand.
But after Warne unloaded so did the Aussies.
It was power from Warner and punch from Khawaja as they pounded 110 runs off eight overs to drive the run-rate north of seven after 44 overs.
Warner then played an upper cut to a wide slower ball, lobbing an easy catch after plundering 166 (147).
Smith and the Aussie dressing room stood to applaud his 16th ODI century and sixth 150.
But there was little applause elsewhere with another venue filled with rival supporters that only made noise in support of Bangladesh.
The repeat playing of Jimmy Barnes’ hit ‘Working Class Man’ was the only remembrance of home as Australia’s top order put the blue-collar Bangladeshis to the sword.
Warner had played attacking shots to just 33 per cent of balls before last night’s knock, which was down from 44 per cent before his ball-tampering banWarner’s strike-rate had also dipped from 96.5 to 76.8.
But last night’s blazing innings saw him become the World Cup’ leading runscorer (447) and post the tournament’s highest score as he became the fourth player to post a second ton.
Only five Aussies had previously tonned up twice at the same World Cup.
Warner now owns Australia’s two biggest knocks at World Cups and he drew level with Adam Gilchrist on 16 tons, behind only Ricky Ponting and Mark Waugh.
There are hints of Warner’s former greatness but it took 110 balls to reach three figures.
However he then started to become as imposing on opposition bowlers as he has been in the past.
Warner – who criticised his own lack of footwork two weeks ago – showed off his dance moves against Shakib Al Hasan, waltzing down the wicket against him and he steadily accelerated.
The brutal batsman hit the field early and pierced it late as his strike-rate grew – it was just 65.8 after 30 balls and finished 112.9.
As Australia piled on the pain in Nottingham, an hour down the road domestic king Matthew Wade heaved a six to bring up his rapid century batting for Australia A.
Finch’s new open batting stance helped him cream 53 (51) before he decided it was catching practice, chipping a ball straight to short third man and missing out on mega runs.
Seamer Nathan Coulter-Nile returned alongside Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa with Marsh, Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson making way.
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Marcus Stoinis ends things with his second wicket of the day – Mortaza hooks him into the deep and Glenn Maxwell takes a simple catch.
The victory lifts Australia to five victories to go with the one loss to India and takes them to the top of the table.
Mushfiqur finishes unbeaten on 102, while Stoinis, Starc, Coulter-Nile all finish with two wickets apiece and Zampa has one while Aaron Finch had a bit of brilliance in the field.
For Australia, it was all about David Warner and his outstanding 166, while Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch both enjoyed half-centuries in strong returns.
Again, an encourage display from Australia – who have improvement in multiple areas.
Thanks for joining us on the blog! We'll be back next week for the MASSIVE game against England.
Terrific stuff from Mushfiqur who punches the air in celebration after running through for a single.
It's his seventh ODI century and on what a stage.
It won't come in a victory, but plenty to be pleased about for both Mushfiqur and Bangladesh in general.
Terrific stuff from Mushfiqur who punches the air in celebration after running through for a single.
It's his seventh ODI century and on what a stage.
It won't come in a victory, but plenty to be pleased about for both Mushfiqur and Bangladesh in general.
Hasan can't handle Starc's speed, and simply chips a full delivery back to Warner at mid-on.
Simple catch, and he departs for six.
In comes Mashrafe Mortaza and, really, his only job is to keep Mushfiqur on strike so he can get his century.
Hasan can't handle Starc's speed, and simply chips a full delivery back to Warner at mid-on.
Simple catch, and he departs for six.
In comes Mashrafe Mortaza and, really, his only job is to keep Mushfiqur on strike so he can get his century.
No hattrick for Nathan Coulter-Nile, with Mehidy Hasan digging out one that was bound for middle stump.
But Coulter-Nile finishes with 2-58. He'll be fairly happy with those figures.
A welcome return to the team, a couple of wickets and an economy rate under 6 on a wicket offering not a great deal.
That's how you take the wind out of a team's sails.
Coulter-Nile is on a hattrick now, after having Sabbir Rahman chopping on first up.
Suddenly Bangladesh are 6-302 and what little hope there was has quickly evaporated.
That's how you take the wind out of a team's sails.
Coulter-Nile is on a hattrick now, after having Sabbir Rahman chopping on first up.
Suddenly Bangladesh are 6-302 and what little hope there was has quickly evaporated.
Encouraging from Nathan Coulter-Nile, who has bowled better today than earlier in the tournament.
One delivery after being robbed of a wicket when Mitchell Starc comically stayed on the boundary – then dived forward only to miss the catch and have the ball bounce over his head – he gets his reward.
Mahmudullah hooks hard, but it's straight to Cummins on the fence.
But what a knock. 69 from 50 to breathe life back into this Bangladesh innings.
Surely that's the end of their hopes now, but what an entertaining innings that was!
