Five-time champions Australia displayed their mighty side to register their third win in a row. After losing the first two matches, the Aussies became the butt of jokes as some also started considering that the mighty have fallen. But the superstars in the side produced a collective show in the last three matches to prove that they are still the Lions of the Jungle when it comes to the ODI World Cup.
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Australia registered a thumping 309-run win over the Dutch side after posting a mammoth 399/8 at Arun Jaitley Stadium. It was the biggest-ever win in World Cup history in terms of runs, while second-biggest in ODIs. The fans came in decent numbers to enjoy the World Cup match especially the Aussie superstars as several young fans were seen donning the jerseys of David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith and the troika didn’t disappoint them at all.
Warner and Maxwell, who have played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in past for Delhi Capitals, lit up Kotla with their brilliant centuries. Warner oozed class in his 104-run knock while Maxwell produced a blockbuster show with the fastest century in ODI World Cup history.
The southpaw smacked back-to-back tons which suggested that he is here to make this World Cup campaign, which might potentially be last, a memorable one. On the other hand, Maxwell (106) returned to form in some serious style and it was the perfect timing too as Australia made their bid for the semi-final race.
The flamboyant all-rounder scored a 40-ball hundred to break Aiden Markram’s fastest century in a World Cup record. It seemed like Maxwell got his superpowers back, which seemed to have gone missing in the last few innings. It was his first 50-plus score in the last 16 innings. He smashed 9 fours and 8 sixes during his knock. The talismanic batter connected reverse sweeps to sixes for fun as the fans went berserk after the Big Show’s incredible batting display.
Smith, who also had a poor start to the World Cup campaign, got his mojo back and played a fine 71-run knock. He looked in total control before Roelof van der Merwe grabbed a one-handed stunner to get the better of him.
Australia posted 350-plus in back-to-back matches as the 400-run target was too much for the Netherlands, who crumbled under pressure.
After posting a mammoth total, it was a cakewalk for the Australian bowlers to defend the target as it was not Netherlands’ night to produce another World Cup upset.
The Dutch side, who showed great character in this World Cup entering the Aussie challenge, fizzled out completely.
They qualified for the ongoing World Cup via qualifier – they even beat two-time World Champions West Indies. The campaign was even more remarkable considering they did not have the services of three of their first-choice players – who opted out of the qualifiers citing more lucrative county deals.
They started off well in the 2023 mega event with an impressive show against Pakistan where they put up a solid fight but the batters failed to hold their nerves and lost the match. It didn’t work out well for them versus New Zealand either.
But, they learned from their mistakes and produced one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by beating South Africa.
However, it was a forgettable day for them against Australia as they failed to put up any fight in all three departments.
Mitchell Starc drew first blood by dismissing Max O’Dowd for just 6 and it just went downhill for Netherlands from there as they were five down for 62 and got bundled out for just 90 in 21 overs.
Opener Vikramjit Singh was the highest-run getter for them – 25, while 6 batters failed to touch the double-digit mark on a belter of a surface.
Adam Zampa was once again the pick of the bowlers for the Aussies as he claimed four wickets for just 8 runs, while Mitchell Marsh grabbed a couple. The pace trinity – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood picked one scalp each to dismantle the Dutch batting line-up.
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