McGrath, Australia break records

POTCHEFSTROOM: Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath spearheaded a record-breaking 256-run World Cup demolition of minnows Namibia in Potchefstroom yesterday.

McGrath took a tournament-record seven for 15 as Australia dismissed Namibia for 45 chasing 302, the biggest winning margin in the history of the World Cup. McGrath eclipsed the previous best of seven for 51 set by West Indies’ Winston Davis against Australia at Headingley in 1983. McGrath was one wicket away from the all-time one-day record of eight for 19, including a hat-trick, set by Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Vaas against Zimbabwe in 2002. The previous highest winning margin was England’s 202-run victory against India at Lord’s in 1975.

Australia’s latest victory equalled the record of 11 straight one-day wins set by Clive Lloyd’s West Indies between 1984 and 1985. Captain Ricky Ponting’s side can claim the outright record with victory against England in their next match at Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Not to be outdone, Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist also set a new World Cup mark with six catches in a match. And batsman Darren Lehmann smashed 28 runs in a single over, another World Cup first, bettering Brian Lara’s 26 for West Indies against Canada last week.
“Records are great, they are a pat on the back, but when you are out there playing it doesn’t matter,” said Lehmann. “We have not been all that prominent in individual statistics tables before today and that is the sign of a good team. Records are nice but our aim is more on winning our next match.” But while the Australians were making history, Namibia bowler Rudi van Vuuren was demonstrating the difference in class between the two sides.

He went for nought for 92 off 10 overs, fourth on the all-time worst one-day bowling-figure list behind New Zealand’s Martin Snedden, and Sri Lanka pair Ashantha De Mel and Sanath Jayasuriya. The Kiwi went for 105-2 off 12 overs against England in 1983. Namibia’s total of 45 from 14 overs was the second lowest score in World Cup history and the fourth worst in all one-day internationals. The lowest World Cup score was made last week in Paarl when Canada were dismissed by Sri Lanka for just 36.

Highest World Cup Victory Margins:
Margin Match 
256 runs Australia beat Namibia, Potchefstroom, 2003 
245 runs Sri Lanka beat India, Sharjah, 2000/01 
233 runs Pakistan beat Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1999/00 
232 runs Australia beat Sri Lanka, Adelaide, 1984/85 
224 runs Australia beat Pakistan, Nairobi, 2002/03 
Best World Cup bowling:
Glenn McGrath 7-15 v Namibia (Potchefstroom 2003)
Winston Davis 7-51 v Australia (Headingley 1975)
Gary Gilmour 6-14 v England (Headingley 1975)
Ashish Nehra 6-23 v England (Durban 2003)
Chaminda Vaas 6-25 v Bangladesh (Pietermaritzburg 2003)