Watch: Aiden Markram hit the fastest-ever World Cup century against Sri Lanka today (October 7), bringing up the record with a six over square leg to reach three figures off 49 balls.
South Africa launched a fierce attack against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tournament in Delhi. Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen both scored centuries before Markram launched his attack. No. 4 came to the crease in his 30th over and South Africa were already heading for a big score with him at 214-2.
He quickly clicked into gear, hitting a four at the crease on the 10th ball before denying Dilshan Madhushanka three consecutive boundaries in the next over. Together with the explosive Heinrich Klaasen in the goal area, Markram added four more balls to reach his first World Cup 50 points from 35 balls. Just 14 pitches later, he celebrated his first 100 of the tournament.
He beat Matisha Pathirana in an over after turning 50, scoring 20 runs and 5 wides with the bat. Pathirana ended up conceding 26 runs in that over. Markram hit six more off Kasun Rajitha in the next over to push into the 90s.
He went from 90 to 102 with three balls and took two, four and six from Madhushanka. A short ball by Markram over square leg and into the advertising board culminated. This marked Markram’s third 100 of the year and the fastest in World Cup history. He beat Kevin O’Brien’s record by one ball, which had stood since 2011 when Ireland famously defeated England in Bangalore.
Prior to Markram’s innings, South Africa’s fastest player of the century on the list was AB De Villers, who played a 52-ball knock against the West Indies in 2015. Markram reached triple digits with 106 before briefly dropping out. South Africa maintained their all-time record at the World Cup with 428 wins and 5 losses.
Watch: Aiden Markram reaches fastest World Cup century of all time
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