Two centuries, an almost 400-run total and a 309-run win, but Pat Cummins still thinks that his Australian side haven’t quite “nailed the 50 overs with the bat yet.”
But that’s how the Australian psyche usually is — brutal, competitive and relentless. This Australia, who demolished the Netherlands at the Kotla on Wednesday, were missing from the ongoing World Cup. But it seems they have arrived.
“Just about the complete game... Couldn’t be happier. We are starting to play to our potential and play in the style we talk about. We had another good batting Powerplay,”
captain Cummins said after the match.
A power play indeed.
Glenn Maxwell raced to the fastest World Cup century and David Warner hit his second successive hundred as Australia picked up a hat-trick of wins to compensate for their successive losses at the start of the tournament.
David Warner after completing his second consecutive century this World Cup, in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI photo
After opener Warner, who captains the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, laid the foundation with a 93-ball 104, Maxwell went on a six-hitting spree, hammering 106 off 44 balls, as Australia amassed 399/8 after opting to bat. Steve Smith (71) and Marnus Labuschagne (62) also returned to form.
Warner was involved in two big partnerships — 132 with Smith and 84 with Labuschagne — as Australia kept a steady run rate, keeping it above six runs per over throughout the innings.
Maxwell hit nine fours and eight sixes during his stunning innings. Maxwell’s blitzkrieg saw Australia accumulate 131 in the last 10 overs as he used his array of shots, including the reverse sweeps and switch-hits.
Under pressure, the Dutch folded for 90 in 21 overs.
