South African team created history by becoming the first team in the history of the World Cup to have three century-getters in one inning. The likes of Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, and Quinton de Kock went on to collect their hundreds against Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2023 game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
After 50 overs, they ended up posting a massive total of 428 for 5 against the Island nation. The Proteas suffered an early breakthrough as their skipper Temba Bavuma got out in the second over. De Kock alongside Van der Dussen took the onus and went on to stitch a huge 204-run stand, turning the game away from the Sri Lankans. Quinton ended up scoring his 18th ODI century and also managed to surpass the former South Africa legend Jacques Kallis to become the player with the fourth-most centuries in ODIs for South Africa.
De Kock collected 100 runs off 84 balls with the help of 12 boundaries and three sixes against Sri Lanka in New Delhi. Van der Dussen on the other end also reached the three-figure mark and was successful in scoring his fifth ODI hundred before getting dismissed by Dunith Wellalage.
“As far as batting goes, a perfect day out for us. (The ball) was swinging up front. Pretty hot out there. Markram, when he plays like that. is incredible to watch. He found a nice length, bowling it into the wicket (his battle with Wellalage). Once he found that, he made it tough for us in the middle. I needed to go to alternative options. We just really try and play the conditions to be honest. Quinny and I batted normally for a large part of the innings. We know what the guys coming in can do. Klaasen, Markram and Miller are some of the best finishers in the world currently. The game's only halfway done. It's a very good outfield here, a very good wicket”, Rassie van der Dussen said during the innings break.
However, Sri Lankans had no idea that they would have to witness Markram’s fierce knock as he also notched up his century in just 49 balls. Markram became the fastest centurion in the World Cup as he broke the previous record held by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien (50 balls). Markram ended up scoring 106 runs off 54 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and three maximums.