Glenn Maxwell’s explosive inning, featuring the fastest World Cup centiry off just 40 balls, powered Australia to a commanding total of 399/8 against the Netherlands in Delhi. Earlier in the innings, the foundation was laid with a century by David Warner, along with half-centuries from Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschange.
Maxwell, who notched the fourth fastest ODI century ever, outpaced Aiden Markram’s record by remarkable nine balls at the same venue. Warner, on the other hand, recorded his 22nd ODI century and his sixth in World Cups, placing him joint second with Sachin Tendulkar, only behind Rohit Sharma, who has seven centuries.
Maxwell’s blazing knock, which included 9 fours and 8 sixes, came at a crucial time for Australia, as they had lost two wickets in two consecutive balls, including the dismissal of the well-set Warner. Coming to the crease in the 40th over, Maxwell wasted no time and immediately started scoring boundaries, reaching his fifty in just 27 balls. He shifted into another gear after that, relishing the opportunity to bat freely in the last four overs with a substantial score already on the board.
Maxwell predominantly faced right-arm medium pacers and displayed hi versatility on a flat pitch, employing reverse-sweeps, switch hits, and powerful slogs around the ground. Then only hiccup during his inning was the run-out of Cameron Green, who was caught short of the crease by a brilliant throw from Sybrand Engelbrecht.
Warner had set the tempo earlier in the day, smashing four boundaries in the third over delivered by the otherwise impeccable Aryan Dutt. Despite Mitchell Marsh’s early departure after miscuing a pull shot against Logan van Beek, Smith and Warner continued to accumulate runs on a favorable batting surface. After the first PowerPlay, Australia reached 66/1. Warner reached his fifty in 40 ballm with Smith taking 53 balls to achieve the same milestone. The two contributed 122 runs for the second wicket partnership.
Warner had a close call when Roelf van der Merwe took a sharp low catch at cover, but it was later deemed not out by the TV umpire. However, shortly thereafter, Smith offered a similar opportunity at backward point, and van de Merwe held on this time, providing the Netherlands with a much-needed breakthrough.
Labuschagne, who had a helmet-rattling encounter with van Beek, added valuable runs with Warner for the third wicket before being caught at mid-on off Bas de Leede’s bowling. The pacer, who heavily relied on the scrambled-seam delivery, also dismissed Josh Inglis in the following over, threatening to restrict Australia to a par score.
But then Maxwell entered the fray and did what he does best, taking the attack to de Leede with a flurry of boundaries and big hits. In the 48th and 49th overs, Maxwell plundered 21 and 28 runs respectively, propelling Australia to a formidable total. Bas de Leede finished with figures of 2 for 115.
Brief Scores: Australia 399/8 (Maxwell 106, Warner 104; van Beek 4-74) vs Netherlands
- Editor
- October 26, 2023
- 10:14 am
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