Markram hits tournament’s fastest century in SA’s win over Lanka
Markram made his ton off 49 balls, one quicker than Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien against England in Bangalore in 2011.
NEW DELHI: Aiden Markram hit the fastest World Cup hundred as South Africa made 428-5 - the highest score in the tournament’s history - in a statement 102-run victory over Sri Lanka in Delhi.
Markram made his ton off 49 balls, one quicker than Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien against England in Bangalore in 2011. He finally fell for 106 from 54, after Quinton de Kock had earlier hit 100 from 84 balls and Rassie van der Dussen a 110-ball 108.
David Miller, who struck 39 from 21, and Marco Jansen then took the score beyond the previous record of Australia’s 417-6 against Afghanistan in 2015. Sri Lanka, which is coached by former England coach Chris Silverwood, crumbled amid the carnage on the flattest of pitches. It leaked 21 wides and had to bowl the final two overs with another fielder up inside the ring because of a slow over-rate.
Matheesha Pathirana conceded 26 runs from the 43rd over, with the seamer’s 10 overs costing 95 for one wicket. It fought admirably with the bat - Kusal Mendis’ thrilling 76 from 42 balls with eight towering sixes even giving hope of the most unlikely of victories early on. Charith Asalanka smacked 79 from 65 and captain Dasun Shanaka held up South Africa’s progress with a defiant 68 off 62, but Sri Lanka was eventually dismissed for 326 in 44.5 overs.
With 754, it is the most runs scored in a Men’s World Cup match. South Africa’s next match is against Australia in Lucknow on Thursday, while Sri Lanka travels to Hyderabad to play Pakistan on Tuesday. South Africa’s in-form batting line-up has led to many, not for the first time in these competitions, tipping them as dark horses for a first white-ball title. At the first opportunity they showed their prowess in devastating fashion. After captain Temba Bavuma fell lbw to left-armer Dilshan Madushanka in the second over, De Kock and Van der Dussen built relatively carefully - reaching 48-1 after 10 overs and 118-1 from 20.
Van der Dussen, who was dropped at backward point on 71, scored all around the wicket, including reverse sweeps to the spinners.
BRIEF SCORES: South Africa 428/5 in 50 overs (R van der Dussen 108, A Markram 106, Q de Kock 100) bt Sri Lanka 326 in 44.5 overs (C Asalanka 79, K Mendis 76, D Shanaka 68, G Coetzee 3/68)
