Glenn Maxwell rewrote the record books in Match 24 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 between Australia and Netherlands at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday (October 25).
The Aussie swashbuckler arrived in the middle during the 40th over and instilled fear among the Dutch bowlers with his outrageous strokeplay.
Maxwell completed his half-century off 26 balls and reached the three-figure mark in just 40 deliveries, beating Aiden Markram's record for the fastest World Cup hundred by 9 balls.
Maxwell was eventually dismissed in the final over for 106 off 44 balls. His knock, studded with 9 fours and 8 sixes, propelled Australia to a colossal 399/8 in 50 overs.
Speaking after the game, Glenn Maxwell attributed his record-shattering ton to his experience of playing in India.
"The fact that I've made runs in India during the IPL pretty regularly over the last couple of years, so I'm not too worried about people saying that I haven't made runs in ODI cricket because it doesn't really matter, especially my role in one-day cricket," Maxwell said at the post-match press conference after Australia annihilated Netherlands by 309 runs.
"It's so similar to T20, so I just draw on those experiences, knowing that if I do get it right on the day, hopefully my team will be winning.
"Having had a bit of success this year in India during the IPL, I've come to India during this World Cup full of confidence and even started well in the practice games with a good 70 against Pakistan," he added.
"People talk about my last 20 ODI games but they're spaced out over 6 years over different continents all over the place and one game at a time every four months, so there's not really much you can sort of go by," he continued.
Maxwell, who had smashed a hundred in 51 balls against Sri Lanka during the 2015 World Cup, admitted that he keeps an eye on the statistics.
"I'm very aware of them. I'm very aware of balls faced. I love the fastest 50, fastest 100 records. I think they're pretty cool records," Maxwell said.
"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'm getting into the next two balls I hit one straight to cover and butchered it. I think I got my fastest 100 next game," he further stated.
"...I've been in those positions before I could make fast hundreds when I get on the run - I know I'm difficult to bowl to. It's just about getting past the first ball."
Maxwell revealed that he wasn't in great shape ahead of Wednesday's match.
"Yeah, not great. 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," he said without mentioning the exact reason.
"I was a little bit more chilled when I got out there. Didn't have many high hopes, I think. But yeah, I've been pretty cooked over the last couple of days. Coincided with the sleepless night last night with the family over..."
Maxwell also expressed his reservations against the light show during drinks break of matches at the ongoing World Cup.
"Well, I had something like that light show similar happened at Perth Stadium during a Big Bash game and I just felt like it gave me shocking headaches and it takes me a while for my eyes to readjust," he said.
"I just think it's the dumbest idea for cricketers when you've got this thing coming at you quickly and your eyes take so long to adjust and I think we just lost a wicket and the Perth Stadium lights went nuts and I was at the other end and it took me ages to get my eyes to go again.
"It's a horrible, horrible idea. Great for the fans, horrible for the players," Maxwell added.
(With PTI Inputs)
