In a match where records went for a swing, South Africa humbled Sri Lanka in match number 4 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. Considered to be one of the best sides in this World Cup, South Africa showed they have the range in what was a massive win. South Africa posted the highest total in ICC World Cup history after being asked to bat by Sri Lanka. A mammoth 428/5 is what SA achieved, riding on three centuries from the blades of Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram.
For Sri Lanka, everyone was taken to the cleaners. In response, the Lankans saw Kusal Mendis play a valiant 76-run knock. Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka also hammered positive scores, but it wasn’t enough. SL folded for 326 in the end. Here, we look at the massive records smashed in this match.
Highest total in ICC World Cup history
South Africa mustered 428/5, which is now the highest team total in ICC World Cup history. SA bettered the previous record held by Australia, who put on 417/6 in 50 overs versus Afghanistan in 2015. South Africa also became the first side to manage 3 totals of 400-plus in the World Cup, having scored 411/4 versus Ireland and 408/5 versus West Indies (both in the 2015 World Cup). Barring SA and Australia, India are the only side with a 400-plus score (413/5 versus Bermuda in 2007).
Eighth score of 400-plus in ODI cricket
South Africa posted their 8th score of 400-plus in ODIs. SA’s highest score in ODIs read 439/2 versus West Indies in January 2015. SA also posted 438/9 and 438/4 versus Australia and India, respectively. Meanwhile, the 428/5 versus SL is their fourth-best score in ODI history. SA also posted the second-best ODI score on Indian soil.
Unwanted records for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka have conceded 350-plus scores for the fourth time in WC history, having conceded 376/9 versus Australia in 2015 – 373/6 versus India in 1999, and 360/4 versus West Indies in 1987. Meanwhile, SA’s 428/5 is now the highest total SL have conceded in ODI cricket. Before this, India held the record against SL, scoring 414/7 in Rajkot.
Aiden Markram smashes the fastest century in ICC World Cup history
Aiden Markram was in his element from the moment he came to the crease. With the platform being set, Markram found it easy and caressed the Lankans with ease. He got to his century from 49 balls, breaking a 12-year record held by former Ireland cricketer Kevin O’Brien versus England in 2011, Bengaluru. Glenn Maxwell (51 balls) and AB de Villiers (52 balls) follow suit.
Markram also posted the third-fastest century for SA in ODIs after AB de Villiers (31 balls vs WI) and Mark Boucher (44 balls vs ZIM. Markram slammed his 3rd ODI century and has scored 1771 runs.
Unique record for SA’s centurions
De Kock managed 100, Dussen scored 108, and Markram plundered 106. Notably, it’s the first occasion in World Cup history where a team saw three of its batters score tons. Moreover, it’s the fourth time this has happened in ODI cricket, with SA doing it thrice themselves.
A record-breaking stand for De Kock and Dussen
De Kock and Dussen smashed a 204-run stand for the second wicket. It’s now the second-highest stand in the World Cup versus Sri Lanka, behind the 318-run effort between Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid in 1999. De Kock and Dussen also posted SA’s 4th-highest stand for any wicket in the World Cup. JP Duminy and David Miller’s 256*-run effort versus Zimbabwe in 2015 is the best for SA.
Moreover, De Kock and Dussen’s 204-run stand is the best for SA (any wicket) in ODIs against the Lankans, surpassing Hashim Amla and De Kock’s 187-run effort in Centurion back in 2017.
A tale of tons
For the first time, SA saw any of their batters score a ton versus Sri Lanka in the World Cup. Notably, they got it in abundance with three centurions. De Kock slammed his 18th century, surpassing Jacques Kallis’ tally for SA (17). He now has 6276 runs at 42.15.
As per Cricbuzz, Dussen is now the second-oldest centurion for SA in World Cup history at 34 years and 242 days. He slammed his 5th ODI ton and is closing in on 1000 runs (1982).
De Kock is the second wicket-keeper batter to smash a World Cup ton for SA after AB de Villiers (twice).
2000 runs for Mendis in Asia; 4000 List A runs as well
Kusal Mendis scored a ferocious 76. He dealt in sixes, smashing eight of them. Mendis, who slammed his 26th ODI fifty, has gone past 2000 runs on Asian soil (2035). Mendis also went past 4,000 runs in List A cricket. He owns 4,050 runs. Mendis clocked his 30th fifty in the 50-over format (75 sixes).
World Cup: 3rd-fastest fifty for SL
Mendis (25 balls) has scored the third-fastest fifty for Sri Lanka in the World Cup. Angelo Mathews (20 balls vs Scotland, Hobart in 2015) and Dinesh Chandimal (22 balls vs Australia, Sydney in 2015) are ahead. Mendis’ 76-run knock also helped Sri Lanka post the third-highest score in the first 10 overs of a World Cup match. His 8 sixes inside 10 overs is the best for a Lankan in the World Cup.
Unwanted bowling records on offer
Sri Lankan pacer Matheesa Pathirana gave away 95 runs for one wicket from his 10 overs. It’s now the third-worst figure against SA in the World Cup. Kasun Rajitha conceded the 4th-worst figures versus SA as well, giving away 90 runs. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen 2/92 conceded the most runs against Sri Lanka in World Cup history. Jansen became the first SA bowler to concede 90-plus runs in a World Cup match.