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Australia’s World Cup campaign is gathering momentum after they demolished the Netherlands by a record 309 runs in Delhi on the back of Glenn Maxwell blasting the fastest century in tournament history.
After starting the World Cup in India with two disappointing defeats, Australia made it three wins in a row on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) by showing no mercy against the Dutch, who last week upset red-hot South Africa.
It was the biggest win in terms of runs in World Cup history, bettering Australia’s 275-run thumping of Afghanistan in 2015.
In reply to Australia’s daunting 8-399, the Netherlands capitulated at Arun Jaitley Stadium to be all-out for 90 in the 21st over.
Spinner Adam Zampa (4-8) collected his third-straight four-wicket haul as the Dutch tail collapsed, losing five wickets for six runs to end the innings.
After a poor first two games, Zampa has shot to the top of the tournament’s wicket-takers’ list with 13.
But it was the enigmatic Maxwell who will rightfully hog the headlines for days to come after putting together an innings remarkable even for him.
After not facing a ball until the 41st over, coming to the crease at 4-266, the 35-year-old raced to his third ODI ton in just 40 balls.
Maxwell was out for 106 from 44 balls in the final over after an explosive innings full of reverse ramps that included nine fours and eight sixes.
Living up to his old nickname of “The Big Show”, Maxwell smashed the previous record for fastest World Cup century, set by South Africa star Aiden Markram (49 balls) at the same ground just 18 days ago.
Maxwell also beat his own Australian record for quickest ODI ton, made at the 2015 World Cup against Sri Lanka.
Dutch bowler Bas de Leede was on the end of much of Maxwell’s hitting with his figures of 2-115 the most expensive in ODI history.
The Victorian’s fireworks overshadowed David Warner becoming Australia’s outright leading century-maker in ODI World Cups after blasting 104.
The veteran opener posted his sixth ton in the 50-over format’s premier tournament, going past Ricky Ponting’s five centuries.
Warner rode his luck to his second-straight hundred, coming five days after he smashed 163 against Pakistan.
The left-hander survived a missed run-out chance when he was on 32 after Warner and Steve Smith ended up at the same end.
Roelof van der Merwe appeared to have ended Warner’s innings on 73 but replays showed the ball touched the ground while in the Dutch veteran’s hands.
Smith was out for 71, his first fifty of the tournament, when van der Merwe successfully hung on to a brilliant catch the following over.
Marnus Labuschagne, who could soon lose his spot to Travis Head, hit 62 from 47 balls for his best score of the World Cup.
Australia opted to leave Head out after the dashing opener arrived in India this week after recovering from a fractured hand.
But Head will be right in contention for Saturday’s crunch clash with New Zealand as the Black Caps sit in third on the table, one spot ahead of Australia.
