Individual and team records are broken at the 2023 Cricket World Cup as Australia record a 309-run victory over Netherlands on Wednesday.
After a slow start to the tournament, Australia have been required to quickly find their best form, leading to thumping wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
With New Zealand and England still to come, it was imperative that a third triumph followed in Delhi, yet the Baggy Greens played with freedom as they registered the biggest-ever win in the tournament's history.
Although Australia lost an early wicket, it did not stop David Warner storming to a knock of 104 from 93 balls, becoming just the fourth Australia to record successive centuries at a World Cup.
Steven Smith and Marnus Lauschagne scored 71 and 62 respectively, but Glenn Maxwell soon took centre stage, scoring the quickest-ever hundred in the history of the competition.
🚨 The FASTEST 100 in an ICC Cricket World Cup 🚨
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 25, 2023
Glenn Maxwell, wow 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hZh5ISXwM8
Maxwell hit an outrageous nine fours and eight sixes from in an innings of 106 from just 44 balls, with his ton being brought up four deliveries before his dismissal.
In conceding 115 runs from his 10 overs, Bas de Leede conceded the most-ever runs by one bowler in a match, albeit still taking two wickets, while Logan van Beek posted figures of 4-74.
Nevertheless, Australia recorded 399-8 from their 50 overs and they remarkably decimated Netherlands for just 90 despite the openers putting on 28 for the first wicket.
Vikramjit Singh made 25 from as many balls, yet their entire innings lasted only 21 overs, with Adam Zampa the pick of the Australia bowlers with 4-8 off three overs.
Australia now sit in fourth position with a significantly-improved net run-rate, but their next two outings against the 2019 finalists may prove pivotal with regards to their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals.
