NEW DELHI: Glenn Maxwell expressed his surprise at achieving a record-breaking 40-ball century in the Cricket World Cup on Wednesday.
Known as 'The Big Show' for his extravagant batting style, Maxwell hit eight fours and eight sixes in his remarkable innings as Australia amassed 399-8 against the Netherlands in Delhi.
This explosive performance eclipsed the previous record held by South Africa's Aiden Markram, who had scored a century in 49 balls against Sri Lanka at the same venue just 18 days earlier.
"It feels pretty good. I have been pretty cooked today so I wasn't expecting much but it probably cleared my head a little bit to be able to go out there and play," said Maxwell.
Maxwell's extraordinary 40-ball century not only broke World Cup records but also ranks as the fourth fastest century in all one-day internationals (ODIs).
The top three fastest centuries in ODIs are held by AB de Villiers, who achieved a 31-ball century against the West Indies in Johannesburg in 2015, followed by Corey Anderson of New Zealand with a century in 36 balls against the West Indies in Queenstown in 2014, and Shahid Afridi from Pakistan, who reached his century in 37 deliveries against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996.
Maxwell, at 35 years old and playing in his 133rd ODI, eventually departed after scoring 104, just shy of his career-best of 108, which he achieved against England in Manchester in 2020.
This century was also his highest score in the World Cup, surpassing his previous best of 31 not out against Sri Lanka in Lucknow.
"I was just trying to get a read on the bowlers because I felt like I had enough time to change and adapt. Generally I am just trying to get any reverse sweeps over the infield.
"I thought the Netherlands were outstanding. It felt like they saved some certain boundaries in the first 25-30 overs.
He added: "It is a rock hard outfield. The ball can travel around here so if you get early wickets and get into the middle order, you can put run-rate pressure on them."
(With AFP inputs)
