Netherlands arrived for the ICC World Cup 2023 match against Australia with renewed vigour after their shock victory over South Africa and then Glenn Maxwell happened to them.
That was the story coming in from Delhi at the end of the first innings where Maxwell had blasted the fastest ODI World Cup hundred in just 40 balls.
The 35-year-old was nine balls faster than Aiden Markram, who created and held that record in this very edition of the ICC World Cup. The South African had got the record in 49 balls against Sri Lanka.
With nine fours and eight sixes, Maxwell was finally out for 106 off 44 balls with a strike rate of 240.90 that blew away the Dutch.
David Warner had earlier struck 104 off 93 balls to send the Netherlands on a leather hunt before Maxwell took charge for the second half of the Australian innings.
It was a knock that epitomised everything that Maxwell is capable of as a batsman.
The marauding Maxwell smashed 28 runs off Bas de Leede's last and Australia's 49th over with two fours and three sixes that saw him get to his landmark hundred.
Glenn Maxwell says 'it's been a while'
"Feels pretty good. I've been pretty cooked all day. Probably just cleared my head a bit to just go out and play. The situation when Davey and Greeny got out, I had to take it deep a little bit. Patty was good as well.
"Even if they are banging it into the wicket, I feel I have enough time to go after it. And when they are bowling quick, my hands have to be faster. Just generally try to get it over the infield.
"They were outstanding (Netherlands fielding), they saved certain boundaries in the first 25 overs. It was a rock-hard outfield and they did so well. The ball seems to travel here, hopefully we get through the top order and put pressure on their middle order. Also put run-rate pressure. Nice to have the kid and wife here - it's been a while.
