South Africa smash the highest ever total in the history of ICC Cricket World Cup

South Africa posted 428 runs on the board against Sri Lanka in Delhi.

South Africans are running riot against Sri Lankan bowling line-up at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi. South Africans fired ablaze against Sri Lanka as they smashed the world record for the highest-ever World Cup total. The Proteas have overtaken Australia’s score of 417 runs they put up against Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup at Perth. SA, with centuries from Quinton De Kock (100), Rassie Van Der Dussen (108), and Aiden Markram (106), scored 428 runs in 50 overs.

It was absolute carnage at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium as proteas batters didn’t let their guards down for even a second and kept their assault going against Sri Lankan bowlers. Captain Temba Bavuma (8) was the only batter with a single-digit score, and apart from him, all other batsmen made Sri Lanka suffer. Quinton De Kock added 204 runs in 29 overs with Rassie van der Dussen, as they both ended up scoring centuries. Aiden Markram (106 in 54 balls) and Heinrich Klassen (32 in 20 balls) took the charge after the second wicket.

Record-breaking day for South Africa

Aiden Markram went on to smash the fastest century as well in the World Cup. Markram completed his century in just 49 balls, one quicker than the previous best, Kevin O’Brien’s 50-balls century against England in the 2011 World Cup. Markram scored 106 runs on 54 balls with 14 fours and 3 big sixes. Markram’s cover drives and pull shots were a treat to watch for the fans present at Arun Jaitley Stadium. South Africa smashed a total of 14 sixes in their innings.

South Africa overtook Australia’s score of 417 runs, which they scored in the 2015 World Cup against Afghanistan, and now holds the record for the highest ever World Cup total in an innings. Proteas posted 428 runs in their 50 overs, with almost all of their batters scoring runs. Australia broke the record of India in 2015, India scored 413 runs against Bermuda at the Port of Spain in the 2007 World Cup.

Sri Lankan bowlers and fielders looked demotivated after the continuous assault from South African batters. They need 429 runs to win the opening game against South Africa. Matheesha Pathirana conceded 95 runs in 10 overs. Kasun Rajitha was also expensive, as he conceded 90 runs in his 10 overs. Sri Lankan bowlers also delivered 21 wide deliveries against South Africa, and that contributed a lot to South Africa’s huge 428 runs total.