Former Hampshire star Glenn Maxwell hit the second-fastest century in Cricket World Cup history as Australia beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs to book a quarter-final place.

The 26-year-old’s first one-day international ton, reached off 51 balls, carried Australia to 376-9 from their 50 overs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Only Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien is ahead of Maxwell in the list of fastest centuries at World Cups, with his ton against England in 2011 coming off 50 balls.

In reply, Sri Lanka came up short despite a third consecutive World Cup century (104) from Kumar Sangakkara.

Maxwell smashed ten fours and four sixes in his 102 before holing out to Lasith Malinga off the bowling of Thisara Perera.

Fellow Hampshire old boy Shane Watson was also on form, blasting 67 from 41 balls in Australia’s total.