AB de Villiers: Glenn Maxwell Predicted Fastest Century in World Cup Record Would Be Broken Within This World Cup

AB de Villiers has revealed that Glenn Maxwell predicted that the fastest century in World Cup record would be broken within this World Cup, just two weeks before Maxwell himself broke the record.

“It’s funny enough, I spoke to Maxwell about 48 balls, 49, whatever it was, not being fast enough and that will be broken,” de Villiers said. “And he was laughing saying it’s going to happen in this World Cup still. And he ended up being the guy to break that.”

Maxwell broke Aiden Markram’s record of 49 balls for the fastest century in a World Cup match when he scored a century in just 40 balls against the Netherlands in October 2023. Both of the centuries came in Delhi which tells how fantastic pitch it was for the batters.

Currently, the record for fastest century in ODIs in held by Ab de Villiers himself who damaged the entire West Indies bowling attack back in 2015 with 31 ball century at the Wanderers.

Talking about his own record, De Villiers said, “I think at the end of the day, at international level, 31 balls is going to be hard to be broken but I do think it will be broken.” It’s a matter of time. The youngsters coming through are just getting better and better,” he added.

De Villiers also believes that he could have hit the record century in lesser balls if he hadn’t wasted a few balls. “I wasted a few balls that day so maybe it should have been faster,” he said. “No but all in all I’m just happy that the record is there.”

“I never played for records, it’s a bonus but now that it’s there I can give the youngsters a bit of a challenge or a bit of a challenge to try and get there as soon as possible. It’s a bonus, but nowadays I can give the youngsters a bit of a challenge to try and get there as soon as possible.”

Maxwell’s prediction that the fastest century in World Cup record would be broken within this World Cup is just one example of his cricket acumen. It didn’t take him much time to go on and hit fastest double century in ODIs and first while chasing.

Glenn Maxwell and Ab de Villiers are both incredible hitters of the ball but rather very different in their style. On his day, De Villiers batted like an unstoppable genius who had all the shots in his armory. On the other hand, Maxwell is an absolute freak who locks in mayhem mode when gets going.

Maxwell’s Australia will face South Africa in the World Cup semifinal at Eden Gardens on November 16.