Glenn Maxwell hit the fastest-ever Cricket World Cup century to help Australia to a record-breaking 309-run victory over the Netherlands.
The batter went to three figures off just 40 deliveries, beating the previous 49-ball record set by South Africa’s Aiden Markram earlier in the 2023 tournament.
Maxwell walloped eight sixes and nine fours in his 53-minute onslaught after David Warner had earlier scored a 93-ball 104 as Australia posted a formidable 399 for eight off their 50 overs.
They then bowled the Dutch out for 90 to register the biggest-ever win by runs at a World Cup, which strengthens their chances of making the last four of the competition in India.
The Netherlands might have had optimism of restrict their powerhouse opponents after getting rid of Mitchell Marsh early on, but Warner posted his second successive century at the tournament while Steven Smith added 71 and Marnus Labuschagne scored 62 before Maxwell’s late fireworks.
The Dutch bowlers went around the park, with Logan van Beek picking up four for 74 off his allotted 10 overs.
Only one team has ever chased 400 in a 50-over match so the odds were stacked against the Netherlands, especially as they had never scored more than 314 in a World Cup before.
They slipped to 53 for four in the 11th over and consistently lost wickets in testing conditions.
Adam Zampa cleaned things up at the end, taking four for eight in just three overs, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Marsh sharing the other wickets.
