ISLAMABAD: A splendid consecutive hundred by David Warner, supported by super knocks from Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne and a later quick terrific hundred from Glenn Maxwell, guided Australia to a massive total of 399 in the ICC contest played at Delhi on Wednesday. Warner, Smith, and Labuschagne set the stage for the Aussies; however, it was Glen Maxwell who completely outclassed the Netherlands’ blowers to take the team towards a 400 mark.
Earlier winning the toss, Australian skipper Pat Cummins decided to bat first on a flat track. As a precedent, Australian openers took a flying start; however, in the fourth over, the Netherlands pacer Van Beek managed to remove him on 9. Meanwhile, David Warner continued the fireworks along with Steven Smith. Both drove the innings to first 100 runs in just 16 overs and also completed their half-centuries. They contributed 132 runs partnership for the side. In the 24th over, when the score reached 160, Smith was dismissed on 71. He was replaced by Marnus Labuschagne, who, along with Warner, further accelerated the innings to set a big total. Labuschagne completed his quick half-century.
He scored 62 runs on 47 balls before he was dismissed in the 37th over, with the total score reached 244. Meanwhile, David Warner completed his brilliant century, including 3 sixes and 11 boundaries. In a couple of overs later, Netherlands managed to get two quick wickets, including Josh Inglis (14) and David Warner (104). At the stage, Australia were 267 for 5 in the 40th over. The two quick dismissals helped the Netherlands a little; however, Glenn Maxwell managed to dominate soon while knocking some quick boundaries. He completed the second-fastest half-century of the World Cup 2023 after Kusal Mendis (25) on just 27 balls, including 2 sixes and 6 boundaries. After completing his half-century, Maxwell became more lethal while racing towards his century very quickly. In the forty-ninth over, Maxwell smashed two boundaries and 3 sixes and completed his hundred on 40 balls. This was the fastest century by any batter in the World Cup competition. He was dismissed by Van Beek on 106 in the 50th over. However, till then, the damage has been done. Van Beek also removed Stark on the next ball. In 50 overs, Australia 393 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.
From the Netherlands, Logan van Beek was the most successful bowler taking 4 wickets in his 10-over spill. Bas de Leede took 2 wickets but was very expensive while conceding 115 runs, the most expensive bowling from him in the ODI history. Aryan Dut got 1 wicket.
Australia Team
Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis †, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa
Netherlands Team
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 and Paul van Meekeren
