Centurions David Warner, Glenn Maxwell hand Australia largest margin win in history of World Cup

Two beautiful colours of team uniform at the World Cup 2022 led a minute of silence in tribute to the late Bishan Singh Bedi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday (October 25). The sombre atmosphere soon turned into buzzing as Delhi Capitals' homeboy David Warner and his Australian teammate Glenn Maxwell got the crowd gaga with their monstrous strokes, leaving Netherlands to chase 400 runs. 

3 things you need to know

• Australia beat Netherlands by 309 runs in Delhi 
• Australia recorded the largest margin win in the World Cup 
• Australia improved their net run-rate from -0.193 to 1.142 

Australia stuck with Mitchell Marsh to open the innings alongside David Warner, mocking the speculations that Travis Head, who rejoined the Australian squad after recovering from a hand injury, would take the top spot and push Marsh to No.3. The partnership between Marsh and Warner that yielded 259 runs against Pakistan, did not last beyond the fourth over as Logan van Beek drew the first blood. Marsh (9) tried to drag a pull but miscued an outside off short ball. However, incoming Steve Smith, hungry for runs and form, quickly got Australia back on track.

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Netherlands could have had changed the match scenario but a mix-up in the field saved Warner from getting run out on 22. The missed opportunity hurt the Dutch side plenty as Warner went on to bring up his second consecutive hundred at the World Cup 2023. It also took him on par with Sachin Tendulkar (6 hundreds) for most men's ODI World Cup centuries. Warner is now behind Rohit Sharma, who leds the chart with seven tons to his name.

Meanwhile, Smith was granted his wish as he hit his first fifty in the tournament, coming after four matches. He was among the last ones to leave the nets during the optional team training on the eve of the match. The Warner-Smith combination added 132 runs for the second wicket before Aryan Dutt got Smith (71) at the backward point. 
 

Marnus Labuschagne took his time to read the pitch before launching two sixes and seven boundaries in his 47-ball 62. Netherlands made a brief return in the match after Logan van Beek got rid of David Warner (104), who paddled the ball towards fine leg.

Glenn Maxwell once again added life to the stadium as he literally hammered Netherlands bowlers with his monstrous innings. The RCB star convincingly registered the fastest ODI World Cup hundred with his 40-ball hundred, breaking the record held by Aiden Markram (hundred in 49 balls against Sri Lanka). Ironically, Markram also achieved the record in Delhi. Australia posted 399/8 in 50 overs, which is their second-highest score in men's ODI World Cup history and third-highest score overall in men's ODI. 

MASSIVE BOOST TO AUSTRALIA'S NRR

What Netherlands needed was to punch above their weight but it was always going to be an uphill task against the experienced Australian bowlers. Netherlands lost their top three Max O'Dowd (6), Vikramjit Singh (25), and Colin Ackermann (10) inside the first 10 overs. Mitchell Starc got third time lucky as O'Dowd played on in the fifth over and in the following over a direct hit from Glenn Maxwell ended Vikramjit's stay in the middle.

Shortly after the departure of the openers, No.3 Ackermann couldn't withstand the storm as he was trapped in front by Josh Hazlewood. Australia captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh joined the party as Netherlands collapsed like a pack of cards. But what stood out was Warner's catch that dismissed Sybrand Engelbrecht. The Dutch player played a pull shot but Warner, standing on the deep square leg fence, simply plucked the ball with a well-timed jump, reducing Netherlands to 62/5 in 13.2 overs.

Adam Zampa, coming on the back of two consecutive four-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, could have had joined Brett Lee as an Australian taking a World Cup hat-trick but Aryan Dutt denied him in the 19th over of the run chase. With more than half of their side back in the dressing room, Netherlands eventually folded for 90 in 21 overs and Australia registered the largest margin win (309 runs) in the history of the World Cup tournament. Interestingly, Australia bettered their own record as they were holding the record for the largest margin win (275 runs vs Afghanistan in Perth 2015).