Record-breaking Aiden Markram has Kotla’s flat track to thank

Aiden Markram during his 106 v Sri Lanka on Saturday. Pic/AFP

Even before hosts India made an appearance at the 13th World Cup, two teams had already made a strong statement. The way New Zealand outplayed defending champions England in the opening match in Ahmedabad and South Africa annihilated Sri Lanka in New Delhi, the two sides have set the tone for the
tournament.

New Zealand have been the runners-up in the last two editions played in Australia and England, thus everybody knows their capability. Thus, their comprehensive victory in a replay of the 2019 final on Thursday has sent a strong signal to other contenders that they are ready to be third-time lucky. It's just the beginning, but they are an efficient unit who go about its job in a quiet but confident manner.

Proteas in rich form

South Africa too got off to a flier. The way they tore apart the Sri Lanka bowling on a benign Kotla pitch has sent out a message to the rivals: "Take us lightly at your peril." Ever since their entry into the cricket World Cup in 1992, they have shown potential, only to falter at crucial stages, earning them the moniker "Chokers."

When Aiden Markram was asked after he scored the fastest century ever in the World Cup off just 49 balls, if the Proteas had sent a strong message to other teams, he said, "I'm actually not too sure. It's too early. We have begun well and we will strive to take that momentum ahead. We plan to take one game at a time and aim at the last four [berth]. From there on it will be anyone's cup."

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Room for improvement

Despite many batting records and a big 102-run win, he said there was scope for improvement. "It was a really good wicket. It probably came on even better under lights as well. And in the back half of our innings, there was dew as well."

Talking about different conditions the team are likely to encounter, Markram said "I think you do a lot of planning and stuff like that before the game. I think it's natural for most teams to speculate how conditions are going to play, especially South Africans coming over to India. Not always 100 percent sure. And then I think you get out there, and the wicket starts playing really well. And it's initially a big sigh of relief and then instinct takes over; a see-ball-hit-ball sort of mentality. So, marrying the two, I suppose, is quite crucial. But yeah, we're thankful that we got a belter of a wicket to start our campaign tonight."

On his record 49-ball century, he said he was not sure it would survive long. "I'm actually not too sure. The way batters are playing nowadays, you wouldn't be surprised if that record is broken in this competition itself."

Sri Lanka fined for slow over-rate

Sri Lanka have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in their ICC World Cup opener. Match referee Javagal Srinath imposed the sanction after Dasun Shanaka's side was ruled to be two overs short of the target during Saturday's match after time allowances were taken into consideration. Shanaka pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.