Glenn Maxwell, who powered to the fastest century in World Cup history with a 40-ball ton against Netherlands at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground on Wednesday, recalled the 2015 edition match against Afghanistan when he had the opportunity to achieve the record but couldn’t, due to impetuosity.
Maxwell, who was struggling for form ahead of this game, beat Aiden Markram’s fastest ton by nine deliveries as Australia thrashed Netherlands by 309 runs, which is also the largest margin of victory in World Cup history. The South African Markram notched the previous fastest World Cup ton in 49 balls on October 7 against Sri Lanka also here at the Kotla.
Maxwell said he hadn’t initially thought about the record but once he started hitting in the last five overs and luckily got a couple of full tosses towards the end when he was on 75 with two overs to go, he made up his mind.
“I’m very aware of them (records). I’m very aware of balls faced. I love the fastest 50, fastest 100 records. I think they’re pretty cool records,” said the right-handed batsman who even employed his famed switch hits (reverse hits) on way to eight sixes and nine fours.
The right-handed middle-order batsman, however, said that the awareness often leads to impatience that has hurt him in the past like in 2015.
“Sometimes to the detriment of myself, I’ve always probably pushed the boundaries a bit too much. I think against Afghanistan in 2015, I was 88 off 37 and I was like I am getting to the century on the next two balls I hit one straight to cover and butchered it,” he told media after the match.
Australia had won that game in 2015 by a 275-run margin, which was a World Cup record until bettered on Wednesday.
“So, I have been in those positions before, I could make fast hundreds when I get on the run. I know I am difficult to bowl to. It’s just about getting past the first ball.”
Maxwell was unwell before this game and wasn’t keen to go out of the dressing room and bat. He had a sleepless night coming into this game.
“I was sitting in the changing room and I didn’t really want to bat, which is a bit different than last game where I was way too eager to get out there. And then we talked about over arousal levels and I probably reached double maximum.”
The surging energy levels turned into a nightmare for the Dutch as Maxwell sent the balls into the stands, hurting the bowling figures of Bas de Leede, who conceded 115 runs, the most by a bowler in ODI history.
The century was also sort of a redemption at the Kotla, where in 2012 he was made to sit out as part of Delhi Daredevils in Indian Premier League.
“The two games that I played for Delhi [in 2012] were at Kolkata and Bangalore. I didn’t even play a game here. I wasn’t really invited to the ground after that either when all the big dogs arrived.”
The fresh surface, he said, helped him in his stroke-play. Kotla has otherwise been low and slow but the fresh preparation for the World Cup has been good for batsmen.
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