.jpg "Glenn Maxwell celebrates his ton | AFP")
The cricket world was in admiration when South Africa's Aiden Markram smashed a 49-ball hundred to rewrite the record for the fastest hundred in ODI cricket against Sri Lanka on October 7, 2023. The 29-year-old eclipsed Ireland batter Kevin O'Brien's 50-ball century against England in a 2011 World Cup match.
However, not many would have expected Markram's record to be a short-lived one, as the feat was overturned by Australia's Glenn Maxwell on Wednesday. The Australian middle-order batter piled misery on a helpless Netherlands bowling unit in New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium as he bettered Markram and O'Brien's record by far.
Walking in at number six for Australia, Maxwell struck the fastest century of the World Cup to power Australia to 399/8. His innings included nine fours and eight sixes and just 11 dot balls. Maxwell's blitzkrieg saw Australia accumulate 131 runs in the last 10 overs.
Australia's Glenn Maxwell celebrates his ton | AP
Australia vs Netherlands: As it happened
While Glenn Maxwell was the star, David Warner, Marnus Labuschangne and Steve Smith also did a thorough job with the bat for the five-time champions against the inexperienced Dutch. After Pat Cummins decided to bat first, opener Warner laid the foundation with a 92-ball 104 while Steve Smith (71) and Marnus Labuschagne (62) showed their class.
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Warner, who captains the Delhi Capitals in IPL, used his cut shot to good use and also was quick between the wickets as his innings was studded with 11 hits to the fence and three maximums.
Warner was involved in two partnerships -- 132 with Smith and 84 with Labuschagne -- as Australia kept a steady run rate, keeping it above six runs per over throughout the innings.
The Dutch might have nurtured hopes of a fightback as Australia lost three wickets in 19 balls to slip from 244 for 2 to 267 for 5 but Maxwell forged a 103-run stand off 43 balls with Pat Cummins to take Australia just one run short of 400.
Australia's Glenn Maxwell celebrates his ton | AFP
Earlier, in a bold decision, Netherlands introduced a twin spin attack but Warner took Aryan Dutt to the cleaners with four successive fours on the off side.
Logan van Beek struck the first blow with a short ball to get rid of Mitchell Marsh (9) as he and Paul van Meekeren kept things tight initially.
-With PTI inputs
