Destructive Glenn Maxwell hits the fastest World Cup hundred at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

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Glenn Maxwell produced one of the most remarkable displays of death-over batting ever seen in a One Day International, as the Australian number six hits the fastest World Cup century off just 40 balls in the match against the Netherlands in New Delhi.

Batting at no.6 in Australia's World Cup match against the Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Maxwell powered his way to a century in only 40 balls there by breaking the previous record by 9 deliveries.

Maxwell's hundred is also the fourth fastest in ODIs behind AB de Villiers (31 balls), Corey Anderson (36 balls) and Shahid Afridi (37 balls).

It was at this very ground that South Africa's Aiden Markram hit a hundred in 49 deliveries against Sri Lanka to become score the fastest-recorded hundred in the men's ODI World Cup. But Markram's record stood for only 18 days.

"Feels pretty good. I've been pretty cooked all day. Probably just cleared my head a bit to just go out and play. The situation when Davey and Greeny got out, I had to take it deep a little bit. Patty was good as well. Even if they are banging it into the wicket, I feel I have enough time to go after it. And when they are bowling quick, my hands have to be faster. Just generally try to get it over the infield," Maxwell said after his record-breaking innings.

"They were outstanding (Netherlands fielding), they saved certain boundaries in the first 25 overs. It was a rock-hard outfield and they did so well. The ball seems to travel here, hopefully, we get through the top order and put pressure on their middle order. Also, put run-rate pressure. Nice to have the kid and wife here - it's been a while," he added.

New Zealand's CJ Anderson holds the record of second fastest ODI century when he reached triple-figure mark in 36 balls against West Indies in Queenstown in 2014.

Former Pakistan all-rounder in 1996 hit a century off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi to be the third fastest ever.