Australia create World Cup history with mauling of Netherlands

Glenn Maxwell  

• Records highest-ever win by 309 runs after amassing 399 and bowling out the Dutch for 90 runs
•  Glenn Maxwell smashes his way to fastest hundred in World Cup history off 40 balls with nine fours and eight sixes

Australia created history at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday when they recorded the highest-ever win by runs in Cricket World Cup history by beating Netherlands, by a thumping margin of 309 runs.

It was a mauling in Delhi for after Australia posted 399-8 on the back of tons from Warner and Maxwell, it was always going to be tough for the Dutch. Mitchell Starc provided the early breakthrough and a run-out sent back Vikramjit Singh who was looking good. From there on, it was one-way traffic as Netherlands were routed for 90 in 21 overs. Mitch Marsh who hasn’t bowled much recently helped himself to a 2-fer and then Adam Zampa came on and picked up a cheap four-fer to go with his two similar hauls before this game. He has 12 wickets in his last 3 games after a poor start to the tournament. Records tumbled like nine pins as Australian batsmen ran riot against the Netherlands bowlers. A well-constructed 22nd ODI hundred, his sixth in World Cups, struck by David Warner (104 off 93 balls, 11 fours, 3 sixes), along with half-centuries from Steve Smith (71 off 68 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) and Marnus Labuschagne (62 off 47 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) saw Australia well on course to a total of 400.

But when three wickets tumbled in the middle overs, it looked like Netherlands had dragged the innings back. But then, Glenn Maxwell arrived at the crease and the rest was history as he smashed his way to the fastest hundred in World Cup history off 40 balls with nine fours and eight sixes, improving on South African Aiden Markram’s 49-ball effort against Sri Lanka in the ongoing tournament. Maxwell got his second fifty in 13 balls. Thanks to Maxwell’s effort Australia pumped 131 in the last ten overs. Logan van Beek finished with 4 for 74, but Bas de Leede went for 115 runs off 10 overs to hold the forgettable tag of bowling the most expensive ODI spell in history.

The win boosted Australia’s net run rate tremendously and they are firm contenders for not only making the semi-finals but look dangerous enough to go all the way and win it.

Scores: Australia 399-8 (50) (David Warner 104, Steven Smith 71, Marnus Labuschagne 62, Glenn Maxwell 106, Logan van Beek 4/74, Bas de Leede 2/115)

Netherlands 90 (21) (Vikramjit Singh 25, Mitchell Marsh 2/19, Adam Zampa 4/8)