SA vs SL: Aiden Markram Hits Fastest World Cup Century Of All-time As South Africa Achieve Highest-Ever Total In WC History

The 29-year-old South Africa National Cricket Team batsman Aiden Markram slammed an absolutely stupendous century in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, October 7.

Markram came to the crease in the 31st over after the dismissal of centurion Quinton de Kock. De Kock was involved in a 204-run partnership in 174 balls with Rassie van der Dussen and he got out after scoring exactly 100 runs.

As Aiden Markram came in to bat he played the role of aggressor and allowed Van der Dussen to take his as the latter was nearing his century. Markram played an explosive brand of cricket and took the bowlers to the cleaners.

He played some absolutely hard-hitting strokes and showed why he is regarded as one of the most dangerous batters in modern-day cricket. Aiden Markram completed his half-century off 34 balls, with 8 fours and then he accelerated even exceptionally as in no time he reached the three-figure mark.

The 29-year-old completed his century off 49 balls, with 14 fours and 3 sixes, and roared in delight to celebrate the milestone. Aiden Markram created history with his knock as his ton was the fastest hundred in a World Cup game ever.

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

South Africa create history As Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Rassie van der Dussen hit magnificent tons

As Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Rassie van der Dussen completed their tons, South Africa created history as this was the first time that three players scored hundreds in the same innings in a World Cup match and overall only the fourth time in ODIs.

Three players scoring 100s for a team in an Innings:

South Africa vs West Indies, Jo’burg, 2015

South Africa vs India, Wankhede, 2015

England vs Netherlands, Amstelveen, 2022

South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Delhi 2023*

Also, Aiden Markram’s century was the third fastest in the history of ODIs for Proteas. He is only behind AB de Villiers’ 31-ball ton and Mark Boucher’s 44-ball century.

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

Meanwhile, South Africa finished their innings with a score of 428/5 on the board and this is the highest-ever total scored by a team in the history of the World Cup. This was the 3rd time South Africa registered the 400-plus total in the World Cup. Also, this was the highest team total against Sri Lanka in ODIs and the second-highest team total in India in ODIs.

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

Highest team totals for South Africa in ODIs

439/2 vs West Indies 2015

438/9 vs Australia 2006

438/4 vs India 2015

428/5 vs Sri Lanka 2023*