ICC World Cup 2023: Glenn Maxwell conjures fastest WC ton after Warner's hundred

Glenn Maxwell (Pic: AFP)

ICC World Cup 2023: Glenn Maxwell struck the fastest century of the World Cup, while David Warner hit his second successive ton to power Australia to 399 for eight against Netherlands on Wednesday.

With just 10 overs in hand, Maxwell went found gaps at will and went on a six-hitting spree towards the end to register the fastest WC century ever in just 40 balls. His knock ended at 106 in 44 balls, with nine fours and eight sixes.

This broke the record of South African batter Aiden Markram, who had smashed a 49-ball hundred against Sri Lanka at the same venue to outdo Ireland's Kevin O'Brian's 50-ball century against England in 2011.

This is also the fourth-fastest century in ODI format, with the fastest being by AB de Villiers of South Africa in just 31 balls against West Indies in 2015. Maxwell's effort is also the fastest century in ODIs by an Australian.

Steve Smith (71) and Marnus Labuschagne (62) also returned to form with resolute fifties after Australia won the toss and elected to bat.

Maxwell reached the hundred in 40 balls to surpass South African Aiden Markram's 49-ball effort which also came during this World Cup against Sri Lanka.

Maxwell smashed nine fours and eight sixes during his stunning innings, which was also the fourth fastest hundred in ODI cricket.

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 run per over throughout the innings.

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The Dutch might have nurtured hopes of a fight back 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.

Maxwell's blitzkrieg saw Australia accumulate 131 runs in the last 10 overs.

Earlier, in a bold decision, Netherlands introduced 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.

Smith, who has been struggling, looked in good touch, pulling and driving van Meekeren for two fours in the seventh over before picking three successive boundaries off van Beek as Australia scored 66 for one in first powerplay.

Warner survived a run-out chance when Max O'Dowd fumbled after the two batters found themselves at the non striker's end.

The left-hander then clobbered the first six of the innings over deep midwicket. He then deposited Vikramjit Singh over long on to bring up the team hundred and reached his fifty with a four next, before hitting another boundary to accumulate 16 runs off the over.

Smith too picked up his first fifty as 124 came up in 20 overs.

The 23rd over was a dramatic one with Smith plundering Bas de Leede for a six and four. Warner too pulled him for a boundary before Roelof van der Merwe produced a stunning catch only to be denied after reviews showed he had grassed the ball.

Warner put another one across the ropes as 19 runs came off the over.

Aryan broke the stand with van der Merwe holding on this time to dismiss Smith. It put a break on the Australian as 22 runs came from 23rd to 28th overs.

Labuschagne was the next batman to be dismissed off the bowling of de Leede who also got rid of Josh Inglis (14).

Warner holed out to Aryan off van Beek after completing his century and Cameron Green was run out next.

(With agency inputs)