NEW DELHI: Glenn Maxwell's sensational double century in the match against Afghanistan at the World Cup has set the cricketing world abuzz, with several prominent figures in the sport declaring it the greatest One Day International (ODI) innings of all time.
In a breathtaking display of skill and determination, Maxwell smashed an unbeaten 201 off just 128 balls, single-handedly guiding Australia to an unlikely three-wicket victory, clinching their spot in the tournament's semi-finals.
Describing the experience, Maxwell said, "It was great fun. It just felt like it was me and Patty (Cummins) just having fun out there." He highlighted the camaraderie between him and captain Cummins, revealing that they kept each other calm with humor. "We were keeping each other pretty calm with jokes most of the time," he added.
The extraordinary partnership between Maxwell and Cummins was formed under dire circumstances when they joined forces with Australia struggling at 91 for seven. Cummins, displaying a cool head, assured Maxwell by saying, "Don't worry, they're four overs down, they're going to have an extra fielder in for the last four overs."
Maxwell's historic double century not only made him the first Australian to reach such a milestone in ODIs but also marked him as the first player in the world to achieve a double century during an ODI chase.
Cummins, in awe of Maxwell's heroics, declared, "It was the greatest ODI innings." This sentiment was echoed by cricketing luminaries, including former England captain Michael Vaughan and Australia's master-blaster Adam Gilchrist.
1/10:Maxwell's stunning 201* guides Australia to World Cup semi-finals
PTI
2/10:Maxwell's 201* leads Australia to victory
Glenn Maxwell's stunning 201 not out guided Australia into the semi-finals of the World Cup as they snatched a sensational three-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat against Afghanistan.IANS
3/10:Maxwell becomes third to hit a World Cup double ton
Glenn Maxwell's 201 not out included 21 fours and 10 sixes, making him only the third player in World Cup history to score a double century.PTI
4/10:Maxwell's reprieve on 33 proves costly
Glenn Maxwell was dropped on 33 by Afghanistan's fielder, and he made them pay with a remarkable innings that led Australia to victory.PTI
5/10:Maxwell's highest ODI score
Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 201 was his highest score in one-day internationals and his second century of the World Cup.PTI
6/10:Maxwell & Cummins secure victory
Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins shared an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 202 runs to guide Australia to victory.AFP
7/10:Maxwell overcomes cramp
Glenn Maxwell suffered from cramp during his innings but continued to dominate Afghanistan's bowlers and finished the match with nearly three overs to spare.PTI
8/10:Maxwell's extraordinary reverse hit
Glenn Maxwell showcased his wide range of shots, including an extraordinary reverse hit for six off paceman Azmatullah Omarzai.PTI
9/10:Zadran scores first World Cup century
Ibrahim Zadran scored his first World Cup century, making 129 not out in Afghanistan's total of 291-5.AFP
10/10:Afghanistan's fightback falls short
Afghanistan fought hard but fell short as Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 201 guided Australia to victory in a thrilling World Cup encounter.PTIIrfan Pathan, a former India all-rounder and cricket analyst, took it a step further, labeling Maxwell's performance as the "best ever white ball inning" on social media.
Maxwell's path to this historic innings was filled with drama and determination. He experienced severe cramps and a back spasm when he was on 147, causing concern for his well-being. There was even talk of retiring from his innings and returning, but medical staff warned that descending the stairs to return to the crease might prove impossible. Maxwell decided to continue, relying on his reflexes and hand-eye coordination to execute powerful shots. He commented, "So that probably made the job a bit more simple. It wasn't all just, like, chaotic swinging but there was a bit of planning to it."
The 35-year-old Melbourne native's remarkable World Cup performance showcased his exceptional abilities and resilience. After recovering from an ankle injury, he played a pivotal role as an all-rounder, excelling as a bowler and showcasing his explosive batting prowess.
As the tournament continues, Australia will play their last group stage match against Bangladesh in Pune on Saturday. Maxwell, who jokingly attributed all the drama to his family's presence in India, expressed his relief at reaching the semi-finals, saying, "It's been a weird, weird couple of weeks... To be in the semi-finals is a great feeling. Hopefully, we enjoy a few days in Pune. I'll stay away from the golf carts."
Maxwell's historic innings will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most outstanding moments in the history of ODI cricket, leaving fans and experts alike in awe of his extraordinary talent and determination.
(With inputs from Reuters)
