Australia maintained their impressive performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 secured a resounding 309-run victory over the Netherlands and improved their NRR in the world cup points table.
This commanding 309-run win, the largest margin of victory in the history of the tournament, significantly bolstered Australia’s net run rate (NRR) and solidified their position on the path to the semi-finals.
Here is the world cup points table
| Teams | M | W | L | T | N/R | PT | NRR | |
| 1 | India | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1.353 |
| 2 | South Africa | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2.370 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1.481 |
| 4 | Australia | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1.142 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.400 |
| 6 | Afghanistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.969 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.048 |
| 8 | England | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.248 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.253 |
| 10 | Netherlands | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1.902 |
In their pursuit of the massive target of 400 runs, not a single Dutch batter could withstand the formidable bowling attack led by Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, and Mitchell Marsh.
The Netherlands kept losing wickets rapidly and eventually found themselves all out for a mere 90 runs. In the bowling department, Zampa claimed four wickets, Marsh took two, while Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood each contributed with one wicket.
During the first innings, Glenn Maxwell and David Warner powered Australia to an imposing total of 399 runs. Both batters, especially Maxwell, terrorized the Dutch bowlers without showing any mercy.
Australia got off to a strong start, despite losing the early wicket of Mitchell Marsh. Steve Smith and Warner built a formidable 132-run partnership, setting their team on course for a substantial total.
After Smith was dismissed for 71 runs, Marnus Labuschagne joined Warner, and together they added 84 runs to the scoreboard. However, Australia began to lose wickets quickly after Warner’s departure, and it seemed that the five-time World Champions might have to settle for a total between 300-330 runs.
But Glenn Maxwell’s remarkable performance changed their fortunes. Maxwell came to bat when Australia was at 266-4 in 38 overs, having just lost the wicket of Josh Inglis. He discharged a blitz, scoring the fastest hundred in the history of the World Cup in just 40 balls. Maxwell’s aggressive batting yielded 106 runs in total off only 44 deliveries, including 17 boundaries, nine fours, and eight sixes.
The five-time World Champions are scheduled to face the in-form New Zealand team next on October 28 in Dharamshala. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will take on Bangladesh on the same date in Kolkata.