New Delhi: Australia bounced back from two consecutive defeats in the ICC ODI World Cup with a massive victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday. Batting first, Australia posted a mammoth total of 399 for 8, thanks to record-breaking centuries by David Warner and Glenn Maxwell. The Netherlands were never in the chase and were bowled out for a paltry 90, giving Australia the biggest win by runs in World Cup history.
The Netherlands, who were facing a daunting target of 400, crumbled under the pressure and lost wickets at regular intervals. None of their batsmen could cross 20 runs and they were all out in 24.3 overs. All the Australian bowlers chipped in with wickets, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Adam Zampa taking two each.
Warner and Maxwell’s record-breaking innings
Australia’s openers Warner and Maxwell set the tone for the innings with a blistering partnership of 178 in 19 overs. Warner, who had scored a brilliant 162 against Pakistan in the previous match, continued his fine form and scored 103 off 93 balls, hitting 11 fours and 3 sixes. With this century, he equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring the most centuries in World Cup history. Maxwell, on the other hand, played a sensational knock of 123 off just 44 balls, smashing 8 fours and as many sixes. He reached his hundred in only 40 balls, which is the fastest century in World Cup history.
Australia’s huge total
Australia, who had scored 358 for 6 against Pakistan in their last match, went one step further and scored above 390 for the first time in World Cup history. Apart from Warner and Maxwell’s centuries, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne also contributed with fluent half-centuries. Smith scored 67 off 54 balls, while Labuschagne made 52 off 38 balls. Australia’s total of 399 for 8 was the third-highest total in World Cup history and the highest against the Netherlands.
