Cricket World Cup 2019: David Warner hits unbeaten 89 as Australia beat Afghanistan

Warner and Steve Smith see the world champions home to comfortable win in Bristol

David Warner celebrates reaching his fifty against Afghanistan. Reuters

David Warner helped get Australia's Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign off to an impressive start as he guided them to a comfortable win over Afghanistan in Bristol.

Warner, who was banned along with Steve Smith for 12 months for their role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018, impressed as he struck 89 not out off 114 balls in Australia's score of 209-3.

He and Smith batted together, putting on 49 for the third wicket, before Smith was out for 18 with just three runs needed to win.

Captain Aaron Finch had earlier made 66 off 49 balls with four sixes.

Afghanistan had been bowled out for 207, with Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa both taking three wickets.

The Afghans rallied from 5-2 and 75-5 to get past 200, with Najibullah Zadran making 51 off 49 balls.