Oh no. Ahmadi can't believe his luck. He absolutely creams an on-drive but it shudders into the leg of his partner Nawroz Mangal at the other end.

Nawroz Mangal is the new batsman and he plays around an inswinger that cannons into his thigh pad. Searing pace from Mitchell J.

Terry Alderman
Ex-Australia seam bowler on BBC Test Match Special

"It was his technique there. He had looked good and didn't look too perturbed. Then his head just fell over and flicked it out of the middle of the bat but straight to Faulkner. It is disappointing for the young man."

Mitchell Johnson. A name to strike fear into the hearts of any England supporter. And he makes the breakthrough with his firs ball, as Ghani picks out Faulkner at short midwicket.

Image source, Getty Images

Two wides from Hazlewood. He's fluffing his lines here. Single follows, then three dots. This is a solid start. I have a strong feeling of impending doom but so far, so good.

Robert Keogh:, external Such a dull World Cup. No contest between ball and bat. Looks like 20-20 but lacks the excitement. Pitches need to be balanced

Shaun Gilligan:, external Keep hearing bowlers need to be more innovative but what exactly can you do without having 'dubious' action?? Batsmen's game now

A bit of luck for Afghanistan as Ghani gets away with an under-edge that bounces just over the stumps. Mitchell Starc has been clocked as the third quickest bowler at this World Cup (after Wahab Riaz and Adam Milne), and he's giving it some serious wheels at the moment, lighting up the speed gun at around 150kph.

It's a huge test for the Afghan batsmen playing bowling of this pace, but they don't look overawed - Ghani pockets two with a nice drive through the covers, then another couple with a tuck off his hip.

Brad Hogg
Ex-Australia spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"One thing that is really difficult for the associates is that they don't face this kind of bowling enough. It is a big jump to then face three bowlers, who are all putting it down at 130kph plus."

Runs from Hazelwood. Three for Ahmadi, and two for Ghani through the covers. Ghani looks pumped as he rehearses some shots between balls. Then he clips one through midwicket with the grace of Tendulkar. Encouraging signs for the underdogs.

Ahmadi runs a single down to third man. Nicely done. Ghani gets an inside edge onto the pads. Lucky boy.

Anthony Shaw:, external Third 400 score in this #CWC15... Get Bob Dylan out 'the times they are a changin'!'

Jay: , externalThe balance has shifted because batsmen have become innovative while the bowlers just keep doing the same old thing.

David Moore:, external Rules need changing to help bowlers. More teams means more matches meaning old most runs/wickets records will also go tumbling.

John Hazlewood to bowl - he's in for the injured Pat Cummins. Ahmadi takes a swipe at an away-swinger and misses. A shorter ball finds the bat and Ahmadi pulls it to long leg for a single.

Brad Hogg
Ex-Australia spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"The way Mitchell Starc is getting swing going at the moment he looks to be on top of his game. If I was Ahmadi I would be getting forward as much as possible."

Javed Ahmadi leaves the first two balls, then gets a streaky four from an edge. Oh, this must be out. Struck on the pad in front of leg. Not given. No review, and wisely as it would have been an umpire's call.

Ok, enough chitty chat. We're all ready to go in Perth. Mitchell Starc is bowling the first over. Michael Clarke is all smiles. Let's. Play. Cricket.

And while we're at it, if you're anything like me you'll be getting a bit numb to all these records and batting power shows. Do they need to rethink the rules at the end of the innings? Has the balance shifted too far towards the batsmen to the detriment of bowlers? Those thoughts that you've been keeping to yourself - unleash them our way.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Napier

"I've found Spidercam's lair. 'Spidercam, Spidercam, does whatever a Spidercam can'."

So what do we make of Michael Clarke not coming out to bat then? Surely it was the ideal opportunity for the Aussie skipper to feel bat on ball. Did they really need Maxwell's fireworks given they were already on course for a score in excess of 350? Is he running scared? Ping your thoughts our way via #bbccricket, text to 81111 or email tms@bbc.co.uk

Thanks Phil. Sam Sheringham taking over at the tiller for a few overs of right arm medium-slow. And I'm going to start with a statistic about Australia bowler Mitchell Starc that will not make pleasant reading for the Afghan openers...