Proteas begin World Cup with record-laden innings
South Africa batters belted the Sri Lankan bowlers all around the park in their opening World Cup fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday.
Records galored as the Proteas posted 428 for five after the Lankans put them into bat first.
Middle-order batter Aiden Markram smashed the fastest century in World Cup history. The right-handed batter, who came to bat at number four, reached three figures in 49 balls in the 46th over when he pulled pacer Dilshan Madushanka for a maximum.
He broke Ireland batter Kevin O'Brien's record of reaching the three-figure mark in 50 balls which he mustered against England in the 2011 World Cup. It was however Madushanka who got him in the 48th over after Markram had put away 14 fours and three sixes for his 54-ball 106.
Markram's century came after opener Quinton de Kock and middle-order batter Rassie van der Dussen both scored tons. This is the first time that three batters from the same team have registered tons in the same innings. In ODIs overall, it is only the fourth time that this has happened.
South Africa's 428 for five surpassed Australia's 417 for six against Afghanistan in Perth in the 2015 World Cup to become the highest-ever team total in World Cup history.
This was the fifth time that a team scored a total in excess of 400. The Proteas had done it twice before and Saturday's onslaught gave their third 400-plus score in a World Cup.
South Africa's 428 for five meant Sri Lanka have conceded their highest-ever total in ODIs. The previous best score against a Sri Lanka team in ODIs was made by India who scored 414 for seven in Rajkot in 2009.
Put in to bat, South Africa lost skipper Temba Bavuma in the second over, but de Kock and van der Dussen forged a rollicking 204-run stand to deflate Sri Lanka.
Even after the duo exited, Markram kept punishing Sri Lanka, hitting 14 fours and three sixes in his blistering knock.
Australia's 417-6 against Afghanistan in Perth in 2015 was the previous highest total in the men's World Cup.
Sri Lanka arrived with a depleted bowling unit having lost the services of fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera and spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga through injuries.
Spinner Maheesh Theekshana missed the match as he continues to recover from a hamstring tear, and the South African top order exposed their bowling frailties with scintillating power-hitting.
David Miller remained unbeaten on 39 off 21 balls.
"Perfect day with bat," van der Dussen said at the innings break.
"We just bat according to conditions, as we did today... Markram, Miller are the best hitters and they showed it today."