England's captain Eoin Morgan (right) walks to shake hands with Afghanistan's captain Mohammad Nabi after winning their Cricket World Cup match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
AFP/Sydney
England ended their miserable World Cup campaign with a nine-wicket Pool A win over Afghanistan in Sydney on Friday.
Already unable to qualify for the quarter-finals, England, chasing a Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 101 to win in 25 overs in a match where there were three rain delays, finished on 101 for one in 18.1 overs.
Ian Bell saw England home with an unbeaten 52 after putting on 83 for the first wicket with Alex Hales (37), who was dropped on nought and 12.
Victory meant England had enjoyed two wins at this tournament, after also beating Scotland, but none against a Test side, while Afghanistan too ended the World Cup having likewise defeated the Scots.
Tournament debutants Afghanistan had earlier slumped to 111 for seven in 36.2 overs after losing the toss in overcast conditions when their innings was ruled to be closed because of rain.
Earlier, England skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and chose to field under leaden skies and his bowlers vindicated his decision.
Shafiqullah Shafiq (30) top-scored for Afghanistan.
The England new ball attack of James Anderson and Stuart Broad which disappointed so badly in the previous matches hardly looked world-beating but they bowled tightly and dismissed an opener apiece in the first 10 overs.
Chris Jordan (2-13) was the pick of the England bowlers, dismissing Afsar Zazai (six) and dangerman Samiullah Shenwari (seven), and he would have fancied taking out a couple of tailenders if the weather had allowed.
