Australia posted a Cricket World Cup record score of 417-6 to take control of their Pool A clash with Afghanistan in Perth on Wednesday.

The previous marker was 413-5 by India against Bermuda in 2007, although South Africa had twice come close to surpassing that score during this year's tournament.

The Proteas fell three runs short of breaking the record during their encounter with Ireland on Tuesday, but David Warner's inspirational display helped ensure Australia did not suffer the same fate.

After seeing Aaron Finch go for four in just the third over, Warner registered his highest ever one-day international score of 178, while also combining with Steve Smith for an Australian ODI record partnership of 260.

Glenn Maxwell appeared set to join his colleagues in the record books as he raced to 88 from 39 deliveries.

However, the 26-year-old fell short of Kevin O'Brien's record for the fastest century at the World Cup, which came from 50 balls for Ireland in 2011, as he was caught by Mohammad Nabi off Dawlat Zadran.

Afghanistan need 418 to win.