Summary

  • Australia victory seems them go into second place in Group 1

  • An England win over Sri Lanka on Saturday, regardless of the margin, will see them overtake Australia and finish second

  • New Zealand are now guaranteed a place in the semi-finals

  • Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary

Live Reporting

Tom Mallows

  1. Aus 6-0

    Afghanistan gift Australia an extra run with an overthrow that allows Warner to turn a quick single into a comfortable two.

    However, Farooqi ends the over well, beating Warner on the outside edge after a tentative prod from the opener.

  2. Aus 4-0

    Australia are up and running. After a pair of dot balls to start, David Warner is able to cut Fazalhaq Farooqi's third ball away past point for four. Nicely timed.

  3. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Australia have got to win big. I like that Cameron Green is at the top of the order but it's pressure to open up a big game and be expected to perform.

  4. The teams are out, the anthems have been sung and we're just about ready for the first ball.

    Cameron Green will open the batting alongside David Warner tonight and Fazalhaq Farooqi will take the new ball for Afghanistan. Warner will take the first ball.

  5. 'Are you going to start eating the grass?'

    Australia's Kane RichardsonGetty Images

    Kane Richardson comes into the Australia team for this must-win game and earlier in the week, the fast bowler spoke about his decision to adopt a vegan diet in 2016.

    He also spoke about the effect global cricket tournaments can have on the environment.

    You can read it here.

  6. The teams

    Australia: David Warner, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (capt & wk), Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

    Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Usman Ghani, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (capt), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazal Farooqi

  7. Australia stand-in captain Matthew Wade: "We would have done the same as them to give us something to aim at. We are chasing a bit of net run-rate but still trying to win the game. They are a terrific team. So we just need to take care of business.

    "It would be nice if we didn't put ourselves in these positions, but we have been here before. The key is not to chase it."

  8. Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi: "We will try our best for an upset. The wicket is a little bit slow, we saw that in the last game so we'll try our best.

    "Rashid Khan is absolutely right to go, it's his home ground and hopefully he'll perform well today.

    "It wasn't a good tournament for us. We played the first game then two washouts mean we didn't play for 10 days. Today is a chance to play with a good side and hopefully we perform well and finish on a good note."

  9. Three changes for Australia

    Captain Aaron Finch and middle-order batter Tim David were both major doubts for Australia coming into this game. The pair both sustained hamstring injuries in the win over Ireland and neither are going to be risked tonight.

    Steve Smith and Cameron Green replace them in the XI, while wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will captain the side.

    The other big news is that Mitchell Starc has been dropped with Kane Richardson replacing him.

  10. Afghanistan win the toss and bowl

    Mohammad Nabi wins the toss and Afghanistan are going to chase at the Adelaide Oval.

  11. Net run-rate equation

    As I mentioned, a win for Australia today does not guarantee them a spot in the semis. If they beat Afghanistan today and England beat Sri Lanka tomorrow, the teams will remain level on points but - crucially - England have a far superior net run-rate as things stand.

    Numbers have been crunched and to really make things interesting and overtake England's NRR, Australia need to win by around 60 runs, or chase down whatever Afghanistan might set them inside 13 or 14 overs.

    The latter seems like a very tough ask if Afghanistan are able to post anything even vaguely competitive, so will Australia be looking to bat first at the toss? Let's find out...

  12. Welcome

    We're at the business end of the Super 12 stage and with New Zealand all-but securing their place in the semi-finals with victory over Ireland, we've got a three-way battle for the second spot - and net run-rate is firmly in play!

    England and Australia are level on five points with Sri Lanka a point back. Given England and Sri Lanka do not playing until tomorrow, Australia have the chance eliminate the latter with a win over Afghanistan today.

    To really apply pressure on England, they not only need to win but win well to overhaul Jos Buttler's side's superior net run-rate. That game within a game should make for a fascinating contest.