South Africa secured a resounding 102-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Cricket World Cup, setting a new tournament record with a colossal total of 428-5 at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Aiden Markram etched his name in history by smashing the fastest World Cup century, reaching the milestone in a mere 49 balls.
Rassie van der Dussen (108) and Quinton de Kock (100) also achieved centuries in this historic World Cup match, marking the first time three tonnes were scored in the same innings.
In response, Sri Lanka displayed commendable resilience but were ultimately dismissed for 326, with notable contributions from Charith Asalanka (79), Kusal Mendis (76), and skipper Dasun Shanaka (68), salvaging some pride for the 1996 champions.
South Africa's performance surpassed the previous World Cup best of 417, set by Australia against Afghanistan in 2015. Their 428-5 total also ranked as the ninth highest in all one-day internationals.
Aiden Markram, who eventually reached 106, shattered the previous record for the fastest World Cup century, previously held by Ireland's Kevin O'Brien, achieved in 50 balls against England in 2011.
"It was a perfect day for us with the bat. We had to work hard upfront against the swinging ball and then well into the middle overs," said Van der Dussen.
"We have a blueprint to set it up for the guys in the middle order. Aiden Markram, when he plays like that, is incredible to watch."
For Sri Lanka, the bowling figures made for grim reading, with two of their bowlers, Matheesha Pathirana (1-95) and Kasun Rajitha (1-90), conceding over 180 runs from their 20 overs.
This remarkable display of big-hitting contrasted sharply with South Africa's previous outing at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium in October 2022, when they were dismissed for just 99.
Quinton de Kock, in his final international tournament appearance, notched his 18th ODI century off 83 balls, embellished with 12 fours and three sixes.
De Kock formed a formidable partnership with Van der Dussen, amassing 204 runs for the second wicket before he was dismissed upon reaching 100. Van der Dussen soon followed, achieving his fifth ODI century off 103 balls.
The South African opener was playing his 50th ODI and was caught on the long-on boundary by Sadeera Samarawickrama in the 38th over.
De Kock and Van der Dussen came together after skipper Temba Bavuma was dismissed lbw by Dilshan Madushanka for just eight in the second over.
Van der Dussen reached his half-century first, marking the 13th of his ODI career, and De Kock followed suit, securing his 31st ODI fifty.
Markram continued the onslaught, racing to his half-century in just 34 balls, ultimately reaching his century with 14 fours and three sixes. His powerful innings included an impressive 18 runs from a single over bowled by Pathirana.
Markram's innings came to an end when he skied a delivery to Rajitha in the deep off Mandushanka.
In the late overs, David Miller added to Sri Lanka's woes, smashing 39 runs from 21 balls with two sixes.
– TOSS –
Sri Lanka elected to field first against South Africa in the fourth match of the ICC World Cup 2023.
They loss captain Temba Bavuma shortly for just 5-ball 8 as he trapped before Madushanka. But it was the brilliance from Quinton De Kock (100), Rassie van der Dussen (108) and Aiden Markram (106) that helped the South Africa to post the highest-ever World Cup[ total.
– SQUAD –
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi
