Glenn Maxwell in 'outrageous' act as Aussies shatter World Cup records

Glenn Maxwell has inspired Australia to the biggest ever margin of victory at the ODI Cricket World Cup after smashing the fastest century in the history of the tournament against the Netherlands. Maxwell (106) and David Warner (104) both made centuries to help the Aussies post an imposing 8-399, before Pat Cummins' side bowled out the Dutch for just 90 runs to complete the 309-run hiding.

Warner's century - his second in succession - came at better than a run-a-ball and set up Australia's innings superbly. However, it was the late-hitting heroics of the man nicknamed 'The Big Show' that stole the show as Maxwell tore the Netherlands attack to pieces.

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The all-rounder's century came off just 40 balls - easily eclipsing the previous record for the fastest World Cup ton of 49 balls held by South Africa's Aiden Markram. The Proteas batter had claimed the record, previously held by Ireland's Kevin O'Brien since 2011, against Sri Lanka earlier this month but ultimately had it for just 18 days.

Maxwell belted nine boundaries and eight sixes in his outrageous knock, having not even faced a ball until the 41st over. The 35-year-old smashed the ball to all parts of Arun Jaitley Stadium, with a mix of reverse sweeps and traditional slogs, breaking his own Australian record for fastest ODI century, set at the 2015 World Cup against Sri Lanka.

The stunning display of hitting was the fourth-quickest century in ODI history, falling nine balls shy of South African legend AB de Villiers's knock against the West Indies in 2015. It left the cricket world in a frenzy on social media, as fans celebrated a truly unforgettable World Cup knock.

Pat Cummins hails 'complete game' from Aussies

Cummins said after the match he thought the Aussies had put together the "complete game" after notching a third straight win to cement fourth spot in the group stage standings. Having lost their opening two games, the Aussies are now building momentum nicely ahead of Saturday's blockbuster showdown against second-placed New Zealand.

Australia's 309-run victory was the biggest win in terms of runs in World Cup history, bettering the nation's own 275-run thumping of Afghanistan in 2015. Dutch bowler Bas de Leede copped the brunt of Maxwell's punishment, finishing with 2-115 to claim the most expensive figures in ODI history.

Spinner Adam Zampa, who equally held the previous record for worst figures with former Australian paceman Mick Lewis, collected his third-straight four-wicket haul as the Dutch lost 5-6 to end the innings. After a poor first two games, Zampa (4-8) has shot to the top of the tournament's wicket-takers' list with 13.

Maxwell's fireworks overshadowed Warner becoming Australia's outright leading century-maker in ODI World Cups after hitting 104. The veteran opener posted his sixth ton in the 50-over format's premier tournament, going past Ricky Ponting's five.

Warner rode his luck to his second-straight hundred, coming five days after he smashed 163 against Pakistan. The left-hander survived a missed run-out chance when he was on 32 after he and Steve Smith (71) ended up at the same end. Warner then saw a catch from Roelof van der Merwe chalked off when he was on 73 after replays showed the Dutch player had grounded the ball.

Marnus Labuschagne, who could soon lose his spot to Travis Head, hit 62 from 47 balls for his best score of the World Cup. Smith also chimed in with a timely half century of his own to leave the Aussie skipper beaming.

"That's just about the complete game, as good as I could have hoped for," Cummins said. "We're starting to play to our potential, playing the style that we like to always talk about."

with AAP

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