South Africa produced a stunning batting display to break the record for the highest score in a Men’s World Cup match, piling up 428-5 against Sri Lanka in Delhi.
Aiden Markram was the star of the show, hitting the fastest World Cup hundred off just 49 balls, one fewer than Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien against England in 2011. He smashed 14 fours and three sixes in his 106 from 54 balls, before being caught at long-on.
Aiden Markram was well supported by Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen, who both scored centuries of their own. De Kock made 102 from 97 balls, while Van der Dussen scored 113 from 105 balls. They shared a second-wicket stand of 170 runs, after captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed for four in the second over.
David Miller added some late fireworks, blasting 39 from 21 balls, as South Africa surpassed the previous record of 417-6 set by Australia against Afghanistan in 2015. Marco Jansen hit a huge six in the final overs to seal the new milestone.
Sri Lanka had a miserable day in the field, conceding 21 wides and having to bowl with an extra fielder inside the circle due to a slow over-rate. Matheesha Pathirana was the most expensive bowler, giving away 95 runs from his 10 overs. Dilshan Madushanka was the only bowler to take more than one wicket, finishing with 2-82.
South Africa also became the first team to have three centurions in a Men’s World Cup innings, with Heinrich Klaasen missing out on joining them by just four runs. He hit 32 from 20 balls, including three sixes.
South Africa (50 ovs maximum)
| BATTING | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock † | c de Silva b Pathirana | 100 | 84 | 12 | 3 | 119.04 | |||
| Temba Bavuma (c) | lbw b Madushanka | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 160.00 | |||
| Rassie van der Dussen | c Samarawickrama b Wellalage | 108 | 110 | 13 | 2 | 98.18 | |||
| Aiden Markram | c Rajitha b Madushanka | 106 | 54 | 14 | 3 | 196.29 | |||
| Heinrich Klaasen | c Shanaka b Rajitha | 32 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 160.00 | |||
| David Miller | not out | 39 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 185.71 | |||
| Marco Jansen | not out | 12 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 171.42 | |||
| Extras | (lb 1, nb 1, w 21) | 23 | |||||||
| TOTAL | 50 Ov (RR: 8.56) | 428/5 | |||||||
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