Glenn Maxwell admits he has been driven by the lure of smashing the fastest ever one-day international century, after he overcame illness to blaze a 40-ball ton against the Netherlands.
The 35-year-old smashed World Cup records in Australia's 309-run win on Wednesday night, bettering South Africa blaster Aiden Markram's 49-ball century from earlier in the tournament against Sri Lanka.
Maxwell has long had his sights set on bigger milestones, well before his 106 from 44 balls in Delhi.
Maxwell's century - which he reached from 40 deliveries - was the fourth-quickest in one-day international (ODI) history, falling nine balls shy of South African legend AB de Villiers' 31-ball century against West Indies in 2015.
"I love the fastest 50, fastest 100 records," Maxwell said.
"They're pretty cool records. Sometimes to the detriment of myself, I've always probably pushed the boundaries a bit too much.
"Against Afghanistan in 2015, I was 88 off 37 and I was, 'I'm getting in the next two balls (for a then-record)'. I hit one straight to cover and butchered it.
"I got my fastest 100 next game (against Sri Lanka).
"When I get on a run I know I'm difficult to bowl to. It's just about getting past the first ball."
Highlighting Maxwell's hitting ability, his last 71 runs came from just 23 balls against the Netherlands.
Australia's innings had suffered a slight lull until Maxwell came to the crease in the 39th over and took them to 8-399. The Netherlands were skittled for 90 in reply.
He didn't even face a ball until the 41st over, but finished with nine fours and eight sixes thanks to a belligerent mix of reverse sweeps and traditional slogs.
Maxwell broke his own Australian record for fastest ODI century, set at the 2015 World Cup against Sri Lanka.
Incredibly, it was only his third ODI ton - and his first since his horrific leg break last November.
Making it more remarkable was the fact Maxwell had "been pretty crook all day" before letting loose against the Dutch.
"I wasn't great," he said.
"I have to admit I was sitting in the changing room and I didn't really want to bat, which is a bit different than last game where I was way too eager to get out there.
"I didn't have many high hopes. I've been pretty cooked the last couple of days."
Dutch bowler Bas de Leede was on the end of much of Maxwell's hitting, his figures of 2-115 the most expensive in ODI history.
FASTEST CENTURIES IN WORLD CUP HISTORY
- Glenn Maxwell (Australia) - 40 balls v Netherlands, 2023
- Aiden Markram (South Africa) - 49 v Sri Lanka, 2023
- Kevin O'Brien (Ireland) - 50 v England, 2011
- Glenn Maxwell (Australia) - 51 v Sri Lanka, 2015
- AB de Villiers (Sout Africa) - 52 v West Indies, 2015
FASTEST CENTURIES IN ODI HISTORY
- AB de Villiers (South Africa) - 31 balls v West Indies, 2015
- Corey Anderson (New Zealand) - 36 v West Indies, 2014
- Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 37 v Sri Lanka, 1996
- Glenn Maxwell (Australia) - 40 v Netherlands, 2023
- Asif Khan (UAE) - 41 v Nepal, 2023
