Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n
Chasing 292 for victory against Afghanistan at Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday night, Australia had slumped to 7-91 in the 19th over, their hopes of a World Cup semi-final berth flat lining. But enter the one-man wrecking crew that was Glenn Maxwell, the Victorian producing an unbeaten double century that captain Pat Cummins later described as the \u201cthe greatest ODI innings that\u2019s ever happened\u201d.<\/p>\n
Having earlier in this tournament blasted the fastest World Cup one-day international century of all time, off 40 balls against the Netherlands, Maxwell, 35, this time had to call on more than just his profound array of shots.<\/p>\n
This innings was all the more remarkable because of the courage and character he displayed, having finished unable to run between the wickets because of a bad back and full-body cramps, instead clearing the boundary with shots without moving his legs in astonishing scenes.<\/p>\n
Maxwell finished undefeated on 201 off 128 deliveries, confirming victory with 19 deliveries remaining, and a spot in the semi-final against resurgent South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly the best ODI innings ever. Has always been the most exciting player in the world to watch in my opinion,\u201d Australian great Adam Gilchrist said.<\/p>\n
He hit 21 fours as well as 10 sixes, the last coming off the final ball of the match, capping an unbroken 202-run stand with Cummins \u2013 a record partnership. Such was the magnitude of the feat that it was only the third double century ever in a World Cup, and the first in a run chase.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Glenn Maxwell\u2019s double century was astounding in taking Australia to a miraculous victory over Afghanistan.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n It was the first double century by a batsman other than an opener, and also the highest in ODI history by an Australian man, edging Shane Watson\u2019s 185 not out against Bangladesh in 2011.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom Max pressure to Max performance! This has been the best ODI knock I\u2019ve seen in my life,\u201d Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar said.<\/p>\n Maxwell was recalled for this clash, having missed the last game after being concussed in a bizarre accident when he fell off a golf cart. In need of a touch of luck, he was given just that.<\/p>\n Arriving at the crease in the ninth over, the all-rounder had to deal with a hat-trick ball from Azmatullah Omarzai, narrowly surviving a review for lbw after edging a delivery aimed at off-stump. On 27, he successfully overturned an lbw appeal from Noor Ahmad, the delivery adjudged to be just clearing the stumps. Cummins told Maxwell he felt Maxwell had taken a big stride down the pitch and felt the ball would have cleared the stumps, reinforcing the review call. It was then that Maxwell realised the approach he needed to take.<\/p>\n \u201c[We didn\u2019t plan] too much, to be honest. Basically, we stuck to our own batting plans as much as we possibly could. And I suppose for me, it was still trying to be positive, still trying to take them on and try and produce bad balls, or something else I could score off,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt like if I just defended my way through, they would have been able to put me under a bit of pressure. The lbw that was just going over the top, that was probably the kickstart I needed, to tell myself I needed to start playing some shots and be a bit more proactive.\u201d<\/p>\n Afghanistan could only blame themselves for grassed chances when the batsman was on 24 and 33, the latter a regulation chance at short fine-leg from Mujeeb-ur-Rahman.<\/p>\n Those opportunities, along with the video replay, came within 12 deliveries. Had Maxwell been dismissed early, Australia would have been in dire trouble at 8-112.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, it would have been nice if it was chanceless. I lived a charmed life out there. I was very lucky. And I suppose I just made the most of that,\u201d Maxwell said.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I\u2019ve had those types of innings before, where I\u2019ve been given a chance and I haven\u2019t made the most of it, so to see it through tonight with a not out at the end is something I\u2019m really proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n For Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, there was nothing but disappointment.<\/p>\n \u201cCricket is a funny game. It was unbelievable for us. We were in the game, our bowlers started very well, but at the end of the day, the dropped chance hurt us. That was the moment that we missed, and after that, Maxwell didn\u2019t stop. He played every kind of shot, and I can give credit to him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n In hot and humid conditions, a sore back was compounded when the cramps set in, leaving him with no other option than to hobble between wickets, as if he was doing the \u201cpenguin dance\u201d. He required medical treatment at the end of most overs after reaching his century and, for a couple of overs, he and Cummins even stuck a plan to avoid running and remain at the end of the pitch each was at.<\/p>\n Glenn Maxwell is treated by Australian physiotherapist Ben Jones and 12th man Sean Abbott after collapsing with cramp.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n At the end of one over, he collapsed on the ground and lay flat on his back, his evening appearing over. Adam Zampa, the next man in, stood on the edge of the outfield, but Maxwell fought on.<\/p>\n \u201cHe literally couldn\u2019t move, then the physio [Ben Jones] was out there obviously and he kind of convinced Maxi that if he came off, he might be worse off. \u2018Try and hang out there, stand up, and that\u2019s probably your best bet. Because once you go off with that much cramp, there\u2019s no guarantee you\u2019re going to get back out there\u2019,\u201d Cummins recounted later.<\/p>\n Unable to step into his shots, Maxwell opted for a stand-and-deliver approach. Positioned deep in the crease, he swatted deliveries across the line to and over the boundary, essentially relying on his brilliant hand-eye co-ordination. However, he later told the travelling mediack that this was nothing new, as he had used a similar approach against Afghanistan in 2015. He also added he completed batting drills involving no footwork, where he relies only on hand speed.<\/p>\n Cummins could not believe the range of shots a hobbled Maxwell conjured.<\/p>\n \u201cHe can\u2019t move and still manages to hit a six over the third man with the reverse [sweep] \u2013 he\u2019s a freak. He hits into different areas, he makes it look so easy, and when you\u2019re up against someone like that as a bowler, you just, you don\u2019t have many options,\u201d Cummins said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were just chatting about it, all the players, and we\u2019ve decided it\u2019s one of those days where you just go: \u2018I was there in the stadium the day Glenn Maxwell chased down that total by himself\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Veteran Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle said it was the greatest ODI knock ever.<\/p>\n \u201cThis, in my book, is the greatest white-ball innings there has been, simply because of the pain he had to endure, the situation, it was 90 for seven, and before that it was 69 for five, and from there to chase 290, the last 70 runs on one foot, playing some of the most insane shots \u2026 his body was contorted into the weirdest of shapes because that was all he could do,\u201d Bhogle told Cricbuzz Live.<\/p>\n As Maxwell threatened the record books, his stunning counterattack was on full display. He thumped a six, six, four and six off Mujeeb Ur Rahman to become the first Australian, and ninth man overall, to post an ODI double century.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the greatest individual performances on a cricket field. One of the greatest innings one would ever see. A great lesson to Never Give Up. Take a bow Glenn Maxwell. That was quite incredible,\u201d Indian batting great VVS Laxman said.<\/p>\n Pakistan great Wasim Akram was in awe. \u201cThis is easily the best ODI innings I have seen recently \u2013 take a bow,\u201d Akram said.<\/p>\n New Zealand great and renowned commentator Ian Smith was shocked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s easy to say it\u2019s the greatest, but I\u2019ve never seen anything like it, I doubt I\u2019ll ever see anything like it again,\u201d Smith told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n Jonathan Trott, the former England batsman and now Afghanistan coach, said Maxwell had been \u201cspectacular\u201d in the way he capitalised on his opponent\u2019s mistakes.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s a case of we got ourselves into position and should have capitalised, obviously dropped two chances, and gave a person like Maxwell a chance. He\u2019s going to run with it, and he almost played with a bit of freedom and almost freed him up a little bit, and gave a bit of momentum back to them. I thought it was a spectacular innings, a world-class innings. But, yeah, we certainly helped him along the way,\u201d Trott said.<\/p>\n While a semi-final has been booked, the Australians still have to face Bangladesh in their final pool match, on Saturday. Maxwell will have a few days rest, but is unsure if he\u2019ll venture to the golf course.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully, we enjoy a few days in Pune, and I stay away from golf carts,\u201d Maxwell joked.<\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary.<\/i><\/b> Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Watch every Australian game plus other big match-ups live and free on Nine, 9Gem and 9Now.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Join us for live coverage online of every Australian match with our live blogs.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Early reprieve<\/h3>\n
Costly drops<\/h3>\n
Battle of mind and body<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Take that<\/h3>\n
What\u2019s next<\/h3>\n
Most Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
From our partners<\/h3>\n