England have recorded the highest-ever score in a one-day international on their way to thrashing Netherlands by 232 runs.
On a scorching hot day in Amsterdam, England had been expected to make light work of one of the international cricket minnows, but few could have anticipated the sheer brutality of their demolition job.
That was particularly true after Netherlands won the toss and removed Jason Roy for just one, the England's opener cousin Shane Snater taking the wicket.
However, Phil Salt and Dawid Malan put on 222 runs for the second wicket, the former being dismissed for 122 off 93 balls, and his departure brought Jos Buttler to the crease.
The wicket-keeper was in no mood to wait around, the big-hitter registering a 47-ball century, taking just one delivery more than the world record.
In comparison, Malan's 125 off 109 was pedestrian, but the number three did his job before Liam Livingstone was able to bring more entertainment to the innings quicker than expected after Eoin Morgan went for a first-ball duck.
© Reuters
Like Buttler, Livingstone had records on his mind and he only missed out on the world record for the fastest half-century in international cricket by one ball, his 50 coming off 17 deliveries.
England beat their previous highest total and world record of 481 in the final over, Buttler hitting 14 sixes on the way to an unbeaten 162 off 70 balls and making a staggering 66 off 22 deliveries to see England finish on 498-4.
With a run chase beyond the realms of possibility, Netherlands were left to try to achieve respectability, and they accomplished just that with a solid reply.
Opener Max O'Dowd (55) and Scott Edwards (72*) were the pick of the batsmen, helping their team reach 266 all out with two balls remaining.
The wickets were shared around the England bowling attack, Moeen Ali taking 3-57 while David Willey, Reece Topley and Sam Curran all took two wickets apiece.
The second game of the three-match series takes place on Sunday.
Darren Plant
