Carnage in Delhi! Destructive Glenn Maxwell fires fastest ODI World Cup century ever

NEW DELHI: Swashbuckling Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was in carnage mode as he fired the fastest century of the ODI World Cup ever against Netherlands in the national capital on Wednesday.

Going hammer and tongs against the Dutch bowlers, Maxwell fired a ton off just 40 balls.

With the supernatural effort, Maxwell surpassed South African Aiden Markram, who earlier in the ongoing World Cup itself, slammed a century off just 49 balls against Sri Lanka at the same venue.

Taking the Netherlands bowlers to the cleaners, Maxwell slammed 9 fours and 8 sixes on his way to an eye-popping 44-ball 106. His knock came at a whopping strike rate of over 240.

Maxwell's stupendous effort is now also the fourth fastest hundred ever in the 50-over format. South Africa's AB de Villiers (31 balls), Corey Anderson of New Zealand (36) and Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (37) are the only batters to score a faster ton in ODI than Maxwell.

"It feels pretty good. I have been pretty cooked today so I wasn't expecting much but it probably cleared my head a little bit to be able to go out there and play," said Maxwell.

"The situation when Warner and Greeny (Cameron Green) both got out probably made me play the situation a little differently."

Along with Maxwell, opener David Warner also hit his second successive ton to power Australia to 399 for eight against Netherlands.

Five-time champions Australia are sitting fourth in the points table and are chasing their third consecutive victory to inch closer to a semi-final berth.