ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 South Africa vs Sri Lanka: Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock plunder SL bowlers, tumble ODI records

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: South Africa batters put up a breathtaking display of power-hitting and unwavering determination on Saturday (October 7) and entered their names in the record books in their opening game at the Arun Jaitely Stadium, Delhi, of the 10-team showpiece event.

The Proteas created a world record by posting an astonishing 428 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. This monumental team total eclipsed the previous highest ODI World Cup score of 417/7 set against Afghanistan in 2015.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Records Created by SA batters

SA top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen, in what can only be described as a moment of sheer brilliance, became the centurion of the 200th century in World Cup history. The right-handed batter played a pivotal role in South Africa's remarkable innings, showcasing his prowess with a masterful century.

It was a testament to his skill and composure under pressure as he defied the opposition bowlers and added his name to a prestigious list of century-makers in World Cup cricket.

However, this historic encounter was far from a one-man show. In a match that will be remembered for years to come, it was the first instance where three batters slammed centuries in an ODI World Cup match.

Aiden Markram steals the thunder

South Africa's batting juggernaut was led by one of the most skillful batters in the circuit Aiden Markram, who etched his name into the record books by registering the fastest century in ODI World Cup history. Markram's scintillating century came off just 49 balls, leaving both fans and pundits in awe of his breathtaking strokeplay.

The final ten overs of South Africa's innings were nothing short of spectacular, as their batters unleashed a ferocious assault on the opposition bowling attack. An astonishing 137 runs were plundered in this period, demonstrating the sheer dominance of the South African lineup.

It was a bowler's nightmare at the iconic venue as boundaries were raining down like confetti and the scoreboard kept ticking at a brisk pace. As the stadium reverberated with cheers and applause, it was evident that this match had transcended the realms of conventional cricketing encounters.

The sheer magnitude of South Africa's performance is going to leave a lasting impact on the spectators and the opposition teams, setting the stage for an exhilarating World Cup campaign ahead. The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup had roared to life in grand style, thanks to South Africa's record-breaking display.

The records tumbled, boundaries flowed, and history was made in a match that will be etched in the memories of cricket fans for generations to come. Let us take a look at the list of records broken and milestones achieved by South African batting.

SA vs SL ODI World Cup Match: List of Records Created or Milestones

South Africa became the first team to have scored 400+ total for the 8th time in ODI. They became the only team to post in excess of 400 in the World Cup.
Cricket has seen only 4 times when 3 players scored centuries in an innings in ODIs. South Africans have done it three times alone
Fastest Hundreds in ODI World Cup history: Aiden Markram (49* balls) | Kevin O'Brien (50 balls) | Glenn Maxwell (51 balls) | Ab De Villiers (52 balls).

Highest Totals in ODI World Cup History: South Africa - 428
| Australia - 413 | India - 411 | South Africa - 411 | South Africa - 408