Record-Breaking Win
Continuing their fantastic form, Australia delivered a resounding defeat to the Netherlands, securing a massive 309-run victory in the 24th ICC World Cup 2023 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India, on Wednesday.
Glenn Maxwell, who produced a blistering performance, set a new record by smashing the fastest hundred in the history of the 50-overs World Cup. This remarkable feat came as the Australians secured their third consecutive win in the tournament.
Eighteen days after South Africa’s Aiden Markram achieved a 49-ball hundred at the same Arun Jaitley Stadium against Sri Lanka, Maxwell outperformed him by taking just 40 balls to reach his century. The all-rounder’s incredible innings of 106 off 44 balls, combined with opener David Warner’s 104, allowed Australia to amass a total of 399-8 after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
The Netherlands, in response, were bundled out for a mere 90 runs in 21 overs, marking the biggest defeat in the history of the tournament. Despite Travis Head’s absence due to a fractured hand, Mitchell Marsh retained his opening position alongside Warner.
The Dutch team initiated with spin from both ends, but Warner’s aggressive batting, which included four consecutive fours off Aryan Dutt, signaled Australia’s intention early on. Warner achieved a 91-ball hundred, his second consecutive century in the tournament, and celebrated with his signature helmet-off leap.
Although Logan van Beek (4-74) dismissed Warner, Steve Smith (71) and Marnus Labuschagne (62) added comfortable half-centuries to the scoreboard.
Maxwell, with his explosive performance, toyed with the Dutch attack, hitting nine fours and eight sixes in his incredible innings. His onslaught was particularly harsh on de Leede, who conceded 115 runs in his 10 overs, the highest by a bowler in a men’s ODI, including 28 runs in his final over alone.
With Maxwell’s outrageous shots, Australia added 131 runs in the last 10 overs, setting a daunting target for the Netherlands, who stumbled early in their chase, losing both openers within six overs. Adam Zampa then dismantled their lower order, claiming three wickets for just eight runs to expedite their collapse.
