Aiden Markram slammed the fastest century in Men’s Cricket World Cup history as South Africa put Sri Lanka to the sword in Delhi, hitting the highest total ever in the competition.

The South African No.4 brought up his hundred with a huge six off Dilshan Madushanka, reaching the milestone off just 49 deliveries.

Markram’s rapid ton beat the previous record for the fastest CWC century, held by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien against England in 2011, by one delivery.

And South Africa’s enormous total of 428/5 set a new record for the highest-ever total at a Men’s Cricket World Cup, bettering the previous best of 417/6 by Australia against Afghanistan in Perth in 2015.

The brilliant century from Markram was further punishment for a Sri Lankan side who had already seen two Proteas batters reach triple figures.

Quinton de Kock was first to the milestone, departing for 100 from 84 balls, before Rassie van der Dussen contributed 108 from 110.

And the hat-trick of tons – for the first time in Men’s Cricket World Cup history – equals the record for the most in a men’s ODI innings.

This is just the fourth time that the feat has been achieved, following on from England in 2022 and South Africa twice in 2015.

Markram departed the crease for 106 from 54 after a blistering innings that featured three sixes and 14 fours, with a strike rate of 196.

And his phenomenal effort helped South Africa move beyond a total of 400 – the first time such a mammoth score has been made in this tournament and just the fifth time in men’s Cricket World Cup history.