Aiden Markram could hardly contain his joy in Delhi on Saturday when he reached his blistering century with yet another power hit.
The 29-year-old batsman ended up scoring 106 runs from 54 balls and he, along with Quinton de Kock (100 runs) and Rassie van der Dussen (108 runs), ensured that the Proteas scored more than 400 runs in their first World Cup match against Sri Lanka could hit.
And according to Markram, it was almost an emotional moment when he celebrated his milestone achievement.
“I think there is a lot of passion in the team and we really want to give our best in this tournament. The Proteas are known for enjoying a slow build-up to a series or tournament and we now put a lot of emphasis on the Sri Lanka match: We wanted to start well,” he said.
This tweet from Virat Kohli back in 2018 ????#AidenMarkram #CWC23 #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/HnCcs1HGWh
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) October 7, 2023
The South African now boasts the fastest century ever in World Cup matches, but believes that records are there to be improved.
“It would not surprise me if the record is simply improved again during the tournament; especially when you consider how batsmen approach their innings these days.”
“I now know what the team expects from me as a batsman and I try to combine a positive attitude with smart cricket. Overall, it was a good batting line-up in Delhi, the ball sailed over the boundary rope and it was a game that provided lots of action.”
The Proteas play against Australia on Thursday.
RESULT | #PROTEAS WIN BY 102 RUNS ????
A record-breaking match comes to an end as we get our #CWC23 campaign off to a solid start#SAvSL #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/akiL3z4Cyd
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 7, 2023
- A few of the records that remained in the battle in Delhi:
Highest score: The Proteas’ innings of 428/5 is the highest score yet in World Cup matches. The previous record of 417/5 stood behind Australia’s name since 2015.
Three hundreds in one World Cup innings: Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram hit hundreds for South Africa. This is a first in World Cup matches.
Fastest hundred: Markram scored his century off 49 balls; the fastest in World Cup history. Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien was the previous record holder after he celebrated the 50-run milestone against England in 2011.
Most Runs: South Africa (428/5) and Sri Lanka (326/10) scored a combined 754 runs. This is the most runs ever in a World Cup match and it betters the previous record by 40 runs.
Australia and Bangladesh smashed a total of 714 runs at Trent Bridge in 2019.
Run Breakers: It was the eighth time that the Proteas scored more than 400 runs in an ODI innings. India have crossed the 400 run mark six times and England five times.
