Cricket World Cup 2023: Australia thrash the Netherlands after Maxwell, Warner centuries

Before Glenn Maxwell hammered the fastest century in World Cup history, he feared he was hindering Australia’s campaign - and that left him in a tough spot.

Glenn Maxwell has revealed he had “dark thoughts” about his ability to get through this World Cup with lingering ankle concerns after thrashing the Netherlands for a record-breaking century in Australia’s crushing 309-run win over the Dutch at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Wednesday night.

Maxwell overcame pre-match illness and a lack of sleep caused by the arrival of young son Logan in India earlier in the week to smack a ton off just 40 balls, the fastest in World Cup history and quickest by an Australian in one-day internationals.

David Warner had earlier made 104, surpassing Ricky Ponting with his sixth World Cup ton, and with support acts from Steve Smith (71) and Marnus Labuschagne (62), the Aussies posted 8-399.

Glenn Maxwell hit 17 boundaries, including eight sixes, in his 106 runs. Picture: AFP

Having beaten South Africa last week, the Netherlands were humbled by the Aussies, losing 5-6 to be bowled out for 90 in just 21 overs and suffer the heaviest runs defeat in men’s World Cup history. Adam Zampa wrapped up the tail to finish with 4-8.

That Maxwell had the capacity to produce such an innings is no shock in isolation, but the Victorian’s preparation for the match hadn’t been ideal.

He’d been under the weather in the lead-up, and while he was glad to be joined in recent days by his wife Vini and their baby son, it hadn’t done wonders for his condition.

He said he had come to the crease not expecting great deeds with the bat.

“I didn’t have many high hopes. I was pretty crook the last couple of days, which coincided with a sleepless night last night with the family over,” Maxwell said.

That ailment was short-term, but Maxwell is also still feeling the effects of a broken leg suffered last November which continues to cause ankle pain.

Australia's captain Pat Cummins (L) and Glenn Maxwell celebrate after the dismissal of Netherlands' Vikramjit Singh. Picture: AFP

The all-rounder had been building towards the World Cup but had to head back early from the white-ball tour of South Africa after the injury flared up. Maxwell said he had feared the ongoing impact of the injury would hurt the side.

“That was quite a frustrating period. I felt like I’d done a lot of good work with all that rehab time at home in Melbourne,” Maxwell said.

“And I felt like my strength and my fielding stuff was going really well and had that setback on day one of training. It was quite frustrating, and you do start to get to some dark thoughts of like, ‘Is this going to affect the whole World Cup?’ Am I going to be struggling to get through every game? Am I going to let the team down by having to field in cold zones?’

David Warner notched his sixth World Cup century. Picture: AFP

That would not have sat well with me. The fact I haven’t had to be hidden in the field is quite nice. Don’t worry, every game still hurts, it’s still hard work, but it’s nice to get that load and (be) confident I can get through a full one-dayer.”

Maxwell, who thumped eight sixes in his innings, also said that he had been aware of the looming milestones as he approached his century on Wednesday.

“I’m very aware of balls faced. I love the fastest 50, fastest 100 records. I think they’re pretty cool records. Sometimes to the detriment of myself, I’ve always probably pushed the boundaries a bit too much,” Maxwell said.

The Aussies’ win leaves them fourth on the table but has also handed them a huge net run rate boost ahead of Saturday’s clash with New Zealand in Dharamsala.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup 2023: Australia thrash the Netherlands after Maxwell, Warner centuries