Maxwell and Warner obliterate record books as Aussies batter Netherlands

David Warner made history to start off the innings but it was almost completely forgotten as Glenn Maxwell did what only he could.

Australia has inflicted the heaviest World Cup defeat in history on the Netherlands - no small feat, given their opponents had already defeated South Africa earlier in the tournament.

Glenn Maxwell’s fastest World Cup century off 40 balls and 104 by David Warner led Australia to a record World Cup 309-run rout of the Netherlands on Wednesday for their third straight victory at the tournament.

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That is the heaviest defeat by runs (as opposed to wickets) for anyone in World Cup history, eclipsing Australia’s previous record of 275-run margin against Afghanistan in 2015.

Maxwell’s 106 off 44 balls laced with nine fours and eight sixes fired Australia to 399-8, a total their bowlers defended easily as the Dutch were dismissed for just 90 in 21 overs in New Delhi.

Maxwell brought up his 101 with his eighth six off a ludicrous 40 balls.

The innings is the fastest ODI hundred by an Australian, obliterating his own record of 51 balls and beating Aiden Markram’s World Cup record of 49 balls set earlier in the World Cup.

He took Australia from 4/266 at the end of the 39th over to 6/389 to start the 50th — that’s 127 runs in just 10 overs.

Australia finished at 8/399, leaving the Netherlands 400 runs to win.

“That is simply outrageous,” Shane Watson said in commentary.

“A complete and utter barrage.”

What was that? Maxwell was on fire. #AUSvsNED

— Akash pai (@savage_22_by_7) October 25, 2023

Most Centuries in WC at No.5 or below

2 - Glenn Maxwell*
1 - 23 different players#AUSvsNED#WorldCup2023

— Ram Garapati (@srk0804) October 25, 2023

This is the reason why everyone rate Glenn Maxwell so highly. What a Knock From Big Show. pic.twitter.com/LEyeQgUThm

— Ayush Ranjan (@AyushRaGenius) October 25, 2023

Adam Zampa was the chief destroyer on the night as he claimed 4/8 and will start the next game, against New Zealand, on a hat-trick.

“I’m really happy, that’s just about the complete game. It’s as good as I could have hoped for -- to put 400 on the board and defend it, I couldn’t be happier,” said Australia skipper Pat Cummins.

It was records galore on Wednesday as Maxwell’s blitz bettered the record of South Africa’s Aiden Markram who blasted a century off 49 balls against Sri Lanka just 18 days ago at the same venue.

He smashed Bas de Leede for two fours and three sixes on successive balls to achieve the feat before departing in the final over.

Warner, who clubbed 163 last time out against Pakistan, reached his second successive ton off 91 balls with 11 fours and three sixes to set the tone for his team’s dominance.

Warner pulled level with India batting great Sachin Tendulkar with six World Cup centuries, but it ws Maxwell who stole the show at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Read on below for the full match breakdown.

Warner and Maxwell got the job done. Photo: Getty Images

2.00am — Australia inflicts heaviest ever World Cup defeat

Well, that all happened very fast. The Netherlands have been bowled out for 90, meaning they have lost by a margin of 309 runs. That is the heaviest defeat by runs (as opposed to wickets) for anyone in World Cup history, eclipsing Australia’s 275-run margin against Afghanistan in 2015 (boy, haven’t Afghanistan come some way since then?).

Spinner Adam Zampa finished the game on a hat-trick, taking the final wickets off the last two balls - having also been on a hat-trick earlier in the match. He finishes with figures of three overs bowled, eight runs conceded, and four wickets taken.

Not bad, right? And it elevates him to the top of the wicket leaderboard at this tournament.

Speaking after the game, having won a very obvious player-of-the-match award, Glenn Maxwell said it had been “close to the perfect game” and was Australia’s third “really good win in a row”.

Next up, New Zealand, who have thus far only lost to India.

1.15am — Middle order collapses

The game is now spiralling out of control for the Netherlands. Since our last update they have lost three more wickets and fallen to 62/5 - not ideal when you’re chasing a target of 400.

Those three wickets were split evenly between Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh. The last of them was the most impressive - Sybrand Engelbrecht, who had been timing the ball well, smashed a pull shot towards the boundary at square leg, only to have David Warner leap and grab it quite spectacularly before it cleared the rope.

12.45am — Netherlands pegged back after bright start

The Dutch raced to 27/0 off the first three overs, at one stage hitting six boundaries off just 10 balls. But their fun shuddered to a halt near the end of the fifth over, with Mitchell Starc claiming the wicket of Max O’Dowd.

Starc sent one across O’Dowd, who stuck his bat out at it without moving his feet properly. The ball deflected off his inside edge and knocked over the stumps.

So the Netherlands started decently, but nevertheless, when they looked up at the scoreboard after that wicket they still needed another 370-odd runs. A steep ask.

Matters got worse for them a couple of overs later when, off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood, O’Dowd’s fellow opener Vikramjit Singh got run out for a run-a-ball 25.

Singh hit the ball towards mid-off and set off for an incredibly ill-judged single. Glenn Maxwell caught him well, well short of his ground, and the Dutch were 37/2.

11.26pm — World Cup record books obliterated

Now that’s how you use Glenn Maxwell.

After a horrific golden duck in the last game, Maxwell has smashed all sorts of records in an insane innings.

Maxwell brought up his 101 with his eighth six off a ludicrous 40 balls.

The innings is the fastest ODI hundred by an Australian, obliterating his own record of 51 balls and beating Aiden Markram’s World Cup record of 49 balls set earlier in the World Cup.

He took Australia from 4/266 at the end of the 39th over to 6/389 to start the 50th — that’s 127 runs in just 10 overs.

Australia finished at 8/399, leaving the Netherlands 400 runs to win.

“That is simply outrageous,” Shane Watson said in commentary.

Maxwell holed out for 106 off just 44 balls in the final over, having smashed 9 fours and 8 sixes in an unforgettable knock.

What was that? Maxwell was on fire. #AUSvsNED

— Akash pai (@savage_22_by_7) October 25, 2023

Most Centuries in WC at No.5 or below

2 - Glenn Maxwell*
1 - 23 different players#AUSvsNED#WorldCup2023

— Ram Garapati (@srk0804) October 25, 2023

This is the reason why everyone rate Glenn Maxwell so highly. What a Knock From Big Show. pic.twitter.com/LEyeQgUThm

— Ayush Ranjan (@AyushRaGenius) October 25, 2023

Yes, we are entertained. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Before Maxwell came in, it looked like Australia were going to have left plenty of runs out there, despite a 93-ball 104 from David Warner as well as 71 from Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne’s 47-ball 62.

But they looked utterly pedestrian compared to Maxwell.

While Maxwell stole the show, Warner made history himself, scoring his sixth ODI World Cup hundred, breaking the Australian record previously held by Ricky Ponting.

He is now equal with Sachin Tendulkar and one hundred behind India’s Rohit Sharma.

Incredibly, Ponting had his five hundreds in 46 matches, Tendulkar 45 — Warner’s done it in 23.

Arguably more incredibly, Sharma has seven in just 22 matches.

But Warner record is superior to Sharma’s with an average of 66.20 (to Sharma’s 64.45), with both men having a strike rate of over 100.

Unfortunately for the Netherlands, they also claimed a world record — quick bowler Bas de Leede’s figures of 2/115 are the most expensive in ODI cricket history, surpassing Aussies Michael Lewis and Adam Zampa, who previously equally held the record of 0/113.

10.33pm — Warner leaves Ponting in his wake

David Warner has moved past Ricky Ponting to claim the record of most ODI World Cup hundreds by an Australian, bringing up his sixth ton in the tournament.

Ponting had five hundreds in ODI World Cups, but Warner has edged past him with his sixth, bringing up the three figures for the second straight match against the Netherlands.

David Warner is in some form. Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP

What an innings. Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP

The innings means he is now equal with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, and one hundred behind Indian skipper Rohit Sharma.

Incredibly, Ponting had his five hundreds in 46 matches, Tendulkar 45 — Warner’s done it in 23.

Arguably more incredibly, Sharma has seven in just 22 matches.

But Warner record is superior to Sharma’s with an average of 66.20 (to Sharma’s 64.45), with both men having a strike rate of over 100.

No Australian has more ODI World Cup centuries than David Warner 🙌 #CWC23pic.twitter.com/Xv4vZ25Vug

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) October 25, 2023

The trademark celebration by David Warner.

- One of the greatest in modern Era. #AUSvsNEDpic.twitter.com/IpOuSQYnFW

— Daily Detect (@DailyDetect) October 25, 2023

Unfortunately for Warner, he was dismissed soon after for 104 hooking a ball down to fine leg.

It leaves Australia 5/267 with more than 10 overs still to go.

10.25pm — Marnus holes out, plays team game

Marnus Labuschagne has played a belter of an innings with 62 off 47 balls, having pushed Australia along.

While David Warner still hasn’t been able to reach his hundred, Labuschagne kept the runs ticking.

But a slower ball mis-hit was looped to mid-on, but it’s clear that the Queenslander is putting his stake in the ground to retain his spot when Travis Head comes back.

9.25pm — ‘Can’t believe it’: Call stuns entire nation

Controversy has struck in Australia’s match against the Netherlands with David Warner given a life after a ball was grounded.

Warner smoked a ball at Roelof van der Merwe, who looked to have taken a screamer at short cover, throwing the ball into the air.

“My goodness. That is unbelievable,” Pommy Mbangwe said in commentary.

But Warner never believed it was out, immediately calling it grounded.

And the third umpire agreed with Warner.

Calm down Netherlands, that's not out. Photo: Fox Sports

For Aussie cricket fans, it was like the Mitchell Starc catch that was grounded in the Ashes, when he took the catch but landed on the ball.

Controversial moment! 👀

It looked like David Warner was caught in the covers but the third umpire decides Roelof van der Merwe used the ground to help him hold onto the ball. Netherlands can't believe it 😰 pic.twitter.com/2yXiXLJkX9

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 25, 2023

Warner gets a lifeline! Van der Merwe's stunner was nullified as he grassed the ball during the catch. Australia is off to a solid start against the Netherlands, 158-1 after 23 overs. Looks like the Kangaroos are hopping towards a big total! #AUSvNED#CWC23#Raftar

— Raftar Sports (@RaftarSports) October 25, 2023

Mark Taylor speaking on Channel 9 said it was “the right call”.

But van der Merwe showed it wasn’t a fluke, nabbing a catch off Steve Smith the following over.

At backward point, van der Merwe was able to scoop under the ball and take a look grab that didn’t leave Smith that impressed, but the third umpire confirmed it was indeed out.

Smith scored a much-needed 68-ball 71.

At the end of the 26th over, Australia is 2/173 with Warner on 80 off 65 balls and Labuschagne on 10.

9.06pm — Everything going to plan for Australia

After losing the early wicket of Mitch Marsh, Australia is in cruise control against the Netherlands.

At the high scoring Arun Jaitley Stadium, Australia are scoring at over six and over and are batting at ease.

Steve Smith has even appeared to find form, moving to 58 off 62 balls and David Warner is 69 off 55 balls.

Australia at 1/139 after 22 overs.

However, Dirk Nannes has questioned whether Australia should have more runs because of how easy it has been.

I guess we’ll find out when the Netherlands bat.

7.46pm — Marsh gone in ‘extraordinary scenes’

Mitch Marsh is the first wicket down for Australia, unable to go back to back after his last innings century.

Marsh should have cut but instead went for a pull, hitting the bouncer from Logan van Beek straight up in the air for Colin Ackermann to take a strong catch from a ball that went miles in the air.

Former Aussie quick Dirk Nannes called it “extraordinary scenes”.

It comes after David Warner had hit four straight fours in the previous over off Aryan Dutt.

Australia are 1/28 off 3.5 overs.

7.20pm — Aussies’ ‘horrible’ World Cup truth exposed

Australia have righted the ship in after a horrific start to the World Cup with two straight wins, but it hasn’t covered over one of the nation’s biggest deficiencies.

In the World Cup star far, Australia’s middle order has been a huge problem.

Generally featuring the likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, on paper it’s as strong a middle-order as any nation in the world.

But the usually powerful batters have struggled.

In the four games this World Cup, Australia’s 3 to 6 has added just 331 runs at an average of 22.06 and a strike rate of 76.

To put in context, Australia is ranked last in runs, second last to the Netherlands in average and equal last in strike rate.

While Australia has played the high-flying India and South Africa early in the tournament, it’s a shock that the Aussie’s world-class middle order has struggled so much.

Brendan Julian speaking on Fox Cricket said all year “Australia’s middle order has been horrible”.

Steve Smith needs some runs. Photo by R.Satish BABU / AFP

It sparks somewhat of a conundrum with Travis Head set to return to the side after being out with a broken hand, believed to be as soon as the next match on Saturday against New Zealand — who do you drop?

It’s believed to be either Smith or Labuschagne who will miss out and bat four as Head will return as an opener, with Mitch Marsh to move to first drop.

For the record, Smith has 72 runs at an average of 18, while Labuschagne has 112 runs at 28.

7.04pm — Australia win the toss and bat

The toss was almost redundant in this match as Australia won and batted, and Dutch captain Scott Edwards said his team would have bowled.

Australia have made one change — Marcus Stoinis out for Cameron Green through a niggly injury.

Travis Head, who was believed to be ready to come back for the Aussies, fell just short and will likely return on Saturday against New Zealand.

AUSTRALIAN XI: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

NETHERLANDS XI: Vikramjit Singh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren