'Big Show' puts on 'freak show' for Aussies at World Cup

Australia's Glenn Maxwell celebrates after reaching his century against the Netherlands. Photo:...
Australia's Glenn Maxwell celebrates after reaching his century against the Netherlands. Photo: Reuters
Pat Cummins believes Australia have put together the "complete game" in demolishing the Netherlands by a record 309 runs for a third-straight World Cup win.

After starting the tournament with two-straight disappointing defeats, Glenn Maxwell-inspired Australia showed no mercy in Delhi against the Dutch, who last week upset red-hot South Africa.

In reply to Australia's daunting 399 for 8 - with Maxwell smashing the fastest hundred in World Cup annals and David Warner scoring another ton - the Netherlands capitulated at Arun Jaitley Stadium to be all-out for 90 in the 21st over.

The result was the biggest win in terms of runs in World Cup history, bettering Australia's 275-run thumping of Afghanistan in 2015.

"That's just about the complete game, as good as I could have hoped for," captain Cummins said.

"We're starting to play to our potential, playing the style that we like to always talk about."

It was all set up by Maxwell's "freak show" 44-ball 106. Coming to the crease at 266-4, he didn't face a ball until the 41st over, but raced to his third ODI in just 40 deliveries.

The explosive innings was full of reverse ramps and traditional leg-side slogs as he blasted nine fours and eight sixes.

Living up to his old nickname of 'The Big Show', Maxwell smashed the previous record for fastest World Cup century, set by South Africa Aiden Markram (49 balls) at the same ground just 18 days ago.

Maxwell also beat his own Australian record for quickest ODI ton, made at the 2015 World Cup against Sri Lanka.

Cummins joked he contributed "equally" in his 103-run partnership with Maxwell.

"That was crazy," Cummins said of Maxwell's heroics.

"That was a freak show.

"I mean, you've got no options as bowler when someone's running as hot like that.

"It was just fantastic; just as clean hitting as you're ever going to see."

Dutch bowler Bas de Leede was on the end of much of Maxwell's hitting with his figures of 2-115 the most expensive 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 Warner and Steve Smith ended up at the same end.

Roelof van der Merwe appeared to have ended Warner's innings on 73 but replays showed the ball touched the ground while in the Dutch veteran's hands.

Smith was out for 71, his first fifty of the tournament, when van der Merwe successfully hung on to a brilliant catch the following over.

Marnus Labuschagne, who could soon lose his spot to Travis Head, hit 62 from 47 balls for his best score of the World Cup.

Australia opted to leave Head out as he recovers from a fractured hand but he will be right in contention for Saturday's crunch clash with New Zealand in Dharamshala.

The Black Caps sit in third on the table, one spot ahead of Australia, who are in the final qualification spot with four round-robin games left.

HIGHEST TOTALS IN THE WORLD CUP

428-5-South Africa vs. Sri Lanka, New Delhi, 2023; 417-6-Australia vs. Afghanistan, Perth, 2015; 413-5-India vs. Bermuda, Port of Spain, 2007; 411-4-South Africa vs. Ireland, Canberra, 2015; 408-5-South Africa vs. West Indies, Sydney, 2015; 399-7-South Africa vs. England, Mumbai, 2023; 399-8-Australia vs. Netherlands, New Delhi, 2023.

WINS BY LARGEST MARGINS AT CRICKET WORLD CUP

309 runs-Australia vs. Netherlands, New Delhi, 2023; 275 runs-Australia vs. Afghanistan, Perth, 2015; 257 runs-India vs. Bermuda, Port of Spain, 2007; 257 runs-South Africa vs. West Indies, Sydney, 2015; 256 runs-Australia vs. Namibia, Potchefstroom, 2003.

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