Glenn Maxwell smashed the fastest century in ODI World Cup history against the Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday (October 25), erasing South Africa’s Aiden Markram’s record set earlier in the tournament. Maxwell reached his century in 40 balls after Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede served up a beamer on leg stump which was promptly put by a dacher over the long-on boundary.
When he came into bat in the 40s, few would have predicted that Maxwell would reach his century, but he not only achieved the milestone, he broke the record by nine balls. Maxwell was menacing at his best, pounding and delivering bowlers to all parts of the park.
He brought up his half-century in 26 balls before reaching the three-figure mark in 14 more deliveries. Along the way, the Australian smashed nine boundaries and eight maximums.
After breaking the world record, Maxwell said he did not feel comfortable walking out to bat in the middle.
“I was pretty fired up all day. I probably just cleared my head a little bit to go out and play. I had to take the situation when Davey and Greeny came out a little bit deep,” Maxwell said.
Explaining the outrageous ramp shots he played even as the Dutch bowlers kicked the ball down the pitch, Maxwell said he had “plenty of time to go after them”.
“Even if they’re banging it in, I feel like I’ve got plenty of time to go. And if they’re bowling fast, my hands have to be quicker. Just generally try to get it across the pitch,” added Maxwell.
Batting first, Australia got off to a quiet start as Mitchell Marsh perished in the fourth over. Steve Smith, who came in at number three, joined forces with David Warner and the duo formed a classy partnership before the former perished at the stumps of a catch from Van der Merwe.
Warner went on from there to hit his second consecutive World Cup century, sixth overall, and showed that he remains one of the best white-ball batsmen.
As the five-time champions fell in clumps at mid-wicket, Maxwell’s blitz ensured Australia posted a mammoth total of 399 runs on the board.
