- By Himanshu Badola
- Sat, 07 Oct 2023 06:28 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
South Africa's star batter Aiden Markram created history during their first match in the ODI World Cup against Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday.
Markram slammed the fastest century in Men’s Cricket World Cup history to help his team post a mammoth total of 428/5 in their 50 overs.
The right-handed batter etched his name in the history books as he brought up his hundred with a huge six off Dilshan Madushanka, reaching the milestone off just 49 deliveries.
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Markram's exceptional century surpassed the previous record for the fastest CWC century, held by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien against England in 2011, by one delivery.
Fastest Hundreds in ODI World Cup (by balls)
49 - Aiden Markram vs SL, Delhi, 2023
50 - Kevin O'Brien vs ENG, Bengaluru, 2011
51 - Glenn Maxwell vs SL, Sydney, 2015
52 - Ab de Villiers vs WI, Sydney 2015
Fastest ODI 100s for South Africa
31 - Ab de Villiers vs WI, Jo'burg, 2015
44 - Mark Boucher vs ZIM, Potchefstroom, 2006
49 - Aiden Markram vs SL, Delhi, 2023*
52 - Ab de Villiers vs WI, Sydney 2015
South Africa's enormous total of 428/5 also set a new record for the highest-ever total at a Men's Cricket World Cup, bettering the previous best of 417 by South Africa against Afghanistan in 2015.
The magnificent century from Markram only added to Sri Lanka's woes, having already witnessed the two Proteas batters reach the three-figure mark.
The star opener Quinton de Kock was the first to smash a century departing for 100 from 84 balls, before Rassie van der Dussen contributed 108 from 110.
The innings featuring three centuries equals the record for the most in a men’s ODI innings.
Markram after smashing three sixes and 14 boundaries with a strike rate of 196 departed for 106 runs from 54 deliveries.
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His phenomenal innings helped South Africa move beyond a total of 400, the first time such a mammoth score has been made in this tournament and just the fifth time in men’s Cricket World Cup history.
Highest team totals in ODI World Cup
428/5 - SA vs SL, Delhi 2023*
417/6 - AUS vs AFG, Perth 2015
413/5 - IND vs BER, Port of Spain 2007
411/4 - SA vs IRE, Canberra 2015
408/5 - SA vs WI, Sydney, 2015
Most 400+ team totals in ODI World Cup
3 - South Africa
1 - India
1 - Australia
It wasn't the best of outings for the Lankan bowlers as Dilshan Madushanka was the most successful one of the six used. He picked up two wickets for 86 runs in his 10 overs.
Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dunith Wellalage picked up a wicket each as well.