Cricket World Cup, Australia v Afghanistan: all eyes on return of David Warner, Steve Smith

As the pair returned to the fold against Afghanistan, there was no love from the vocal crowd | LIVE SCORES

Australia's Steve Smith and Adam Zampa during their World Cup match against Afghanistan. Picture: AFP

The Australians have started strongly in the side’s first game of the World Cup, putting most of Afghanistan’s top order back in the dressing rooms inside the first hour of play.

Mitchell Starc took a wicket with his third ball (Muhammad Shahzad 0), Pat Cummins with the second legitimated delivery of his first over (Hazratullah Zazar 0) and then Adam Zampa with the fifth delivery of his first (Hashmatullah Shahidi 18).

Zampa had Shahidi stumped and chipped in with his second when he had Rahman Shah (43) sharply caught by Steve Smith.

David Warner is being booed every time he goes near the ropes.

Starc’s opening wicket was a classic inswinger that removed Shazad’s off stump.

Smith pulled off a run out to dismiss Mohammad Nabi (7).

Afghanistan is 5-90 in the 23rd over.

Khawaja in, Afghanistan elect to bat first

Usman Khawaja has got the nod ahead of Shaun Marsh for Australia’s opening match of the World Cup at the Bristol County Ground.

Nathan Coulter-Nile was chosen as the third seamer, Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson will sit out the game.

“Usman’s form over the last 14-15 games is too hard to ignore, he’s been in great touch, so has Shaun to be honest, so it was a really tough call to be honest. Unfortunately Shaun misses out,” captain Aaron Finch said.

Both batsman have been averaging over 50 in ODI cricket this year but Khawaja with two centuries in India and three over 50 against Pakistan pushed ahead.

Today’s game will be the first official match for Steve Smith and David Warner since their 12 month bans.

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat at the ground with its tight straight boundaries. Aaron Finch said he would have done the same if he had the chance.

“I would have batted first as well,” the Australian captain said. “It looks like a nice wicket, we would have liked to get there and get a score on the board first.

“It’s not as hard as it could have been on top so hopefully we can get some movement out of there and get some early wickets.”

Australia are the current World Cup champions and have impressed with eight consecutive wins leading into the series.

Australia has won 41 of its past 44 World Cup matches.