Glenn Maxwell, famously known as 'The Big Show' for his explosive batting, found himself in disbelief after achieving a record-breaking century in just 40 balls during Wednesday's Cricket World Cup match against Netherlands.
Maxwell's scintillating performance included eight fours and eight sixes as Australia amassed an impressive total of 399-8 against the Netherlands in New Delhi.
On this historic day, five-time World Cup champions Australia went on to dismiss the Dutch for a mere 90 runs, securing a colossal World Cup record 309-run victory.
Maxwell's remarkable feat surpassed the previous record held by South Africa's Aiden Markram, who scored a century off 49 balls at the same venue just 18 days prior.
Reflecting on his extraordinary performance, Maxwell shared, "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."
This achievement also marked the fourth-fastest century in all one-day internationals (ODIs). South Africa's AB de Villiers holds the top spot with his 31-ball century against the West Indies in 2015. New Zealander Corey Anderson reached three figures off 36 balls in 2014, and Pakistan's Shahid Afridi achieved a century in 37 balls back in 1996.
Maxwell, 35 years old and participating in his 133rd ODI, ultimately reached a score of 104, falling just short of his career-best 108, which he achieved against England in Manchester in 2020. This century was comfortably his best performance in the ongoing World Cup, with his previous highest score being 31 not out against Sri Lanka in Lucknow.
Discussing his strategy, Maxwell explained, "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."
He also acknowledged the Dutch team's performance, stating, "I thought the Netherlands were outstanding. It felt like they saved some certain boundaries in the first 25–30 overs."
Maxwell was awarded Man of the Match and remarked, "It's like a perfect game when you get 400 and bowl a team out for under 100. We've had three good wins now and will look to build on that momentum."
Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, who was at the crease with Maxwell during his remarkable innings, described his teammate as "a freak." Dutch bowler Bas de Leede concluded with figures of 2-115, marking the worst-ever ODI performance.
Cummins lauded Maxwell's performance, saying, "That was crazy. That was just a freak show. You've got no options as a bowler when someone is running as hot as that. It's the cleanest hitting you're going to see."
