NEW DELHI: In an astonishing display of cricket prowess, Glenn Maxwell’s lightning-fast century, achieved in just 40 balls, coupled with David Warner’s outstanding 104, led Australia to an emphatic 309-run triumph over the Netherlands in the World Cup. This victory marked Australia’s third consecutive win at the tournament.
Maxwell’s phenomenal 106 off 44 balls, comprising nine fours and eight sixes, propelled Australia to a staggering total of 399-8. Their bowlers then put on a masterclass, dismissing the Dutch team for a mere 90 runs in just 21 overs at New Delhi.
This commanding win by Australia surpasses their previous World Cup record margin, set when they defeated Afghanistan by 275 runs in Perth in 2015. India still holds the ODI record for the highest margin of victory, having bested Sri Lanka by a remarkable 317 runs in Thiruvananthapuram earlier this year.
Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, expressed his elation, stating, “I’m really happy; that’s just about the complete game. It’s as good as I could have hoped for — to put 400 on the board and defend it, I couldn’t be happier.”
The match witnessed a series of record-breaking performances. Maxwell’s explosive century surpassed South Africa’s Aiden Markram, who had previously scored a century off 49 balls against Sri Lanka at the same venue just 18 days ago.
Warner, who had previously scored 163 against Pakistan, secured his second consecutive century in just 91 balls, featuring 11 fours and three sixes, setting the stage for Australia’s dominance. Warner has now equaled Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar with six World Cup centuries.
Warner’s brilliant batting display, however, was overshadowed by Maxwell’s exceptional performance at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Australia chose to bat first and, despite losing early wickets, Warner and Steve Smith built a solid partnership of 132 runs. Smith scored his first half-century of the tournament before being dismissed for 71 by spinner Aryan Dutt. Warner continued his fine form in an 84-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne.
Labuschagne reached his half-century before being dismissed for 62. Warner went on to score his 22nd ODI century, showcasing his mastery at a stadium where he had previously captained the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
Logan van Beek eventually removed Warner with a clever delivery, catching him out as he attempted a paddle towards fine leg. Maxwell, in the meantime, unleashed a flurry of boundaries, including three in a single over off Bas de Leede, despite losing his partner Cameron Green to a run-out.
De Leede ended with disappointing figures of 2-115, the worst ever recorded in an ODI.
The Dutch team never posed a significant threat in their chase, losing half of their side for just 62 runs within 14 overs. Vikramjit Singh, the opener, managed a run-a-ball 25 before being run out due to a direct throw from Maxwell.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was the star for Australia’s bowling attack, taking four wickets in just three overs, sealing the match with consecutive strikes.
Australia, despite starting the tournament with two losses, has now won three consecutive matches, solidifying their position in the fourth spot in the 10-team table as they aim for a spot in the semi-finals.
Scorecard
AUSTRALIA:
– M. Marsh c Ackermann b van Beek 9
– D. Warner c Dutt b van Beek 104
– S. Smith c van der Merwe b Dutt 71
– M. Labuschagne c Dutt b de Leede 62
– J. Inglis c Engelbrecht b de Leede 14
– G. Maxwell c Engelbrecht b van Beek 106
– C. Green run out 8
– P. Cummins not out 12
– M. Starc c Ackermann b van Beek 0
– A. Zampa not out 1
– EXTRAS (NB-1, W-11) 12
– TOTAL (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 399
– DID NOT BAT: J. Hazlewood
FALL OF WICKETS:
1-28 (Marsh), 2-160 (Smith), 3-244 (Labuschagne), 4-266 (Inglis), 5-267 (Warner), 6-290 (Green), 7-393 (Maxwell), 8-393 (Starc)
BOWLING:
Dutt 7-0-59-1; Ackermann 4-0-19-0; Van Beek 10-0-74-4 (5w); Van Meekeren 10-0-64-0 (3w); Singh 4-0-27-0 (1w); Van der Merwe 5-0-41-0 (1w); De Leede 10-0-115-2 (1w)
NETHERLANDS:
– V. Singh run out 25
– M. O’Dowd b Starc 6
– C. Ackermann lbw b Hazlewood 10
– S. Engelbrecht c Warner b Marsh 11
– B. de Leede lbw b Cummins 4
– S. Edwards not out 12
– T. Nidamanuru c Inglis b Marsh 14
– L. van Beek c Inglis b Zampa 0
– R. van der Merwe lbw b Zampa 0
– A. Dutt lbw b Zampa 1
– P. van Meekeren st Inglis b Zampa 0
– EXTRAS (W-7) 7
– TOTAL (all out, 21 overs) 90
– FALL OF WICKETS: 1-28 (O’Dowd), 2-37 (Vikramjit), 3-47 (Ackermann), 4-53 (de Leede), 5-62 (Engelbrecht), 6-84 (Nidamanurue),7-86 (Van Beek), 8-86 (Van der Merwe), 9-90 (Dutt)
– **BOWLING:** Starc 4-0-22-1 (2w); Hazlewood 6-0-27-1 (2w); Cummins 4-0-14-1; Marsh 4-0-19-2 (3w); Zampa 3-0-8-4
RESULT: Australia won by 309 runs.
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Glenn Maxwell
Points Table
(Tabulated under played, won, lost, tied, no result, points, net run-rate):
– India 5
5 0 0 0 10 1.353
– South Africa 5 4 1 0 0 8 2.370
– New Zealand 5 4 1 0 0 8 1.481
