NEW DELHI: Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten innings of 201 has been hailed as "the greatest ODI innings" by Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, as it secured a sensational World Cup victory against Afghanistan on Tuesday.
"I think that's the greatest ODI innings," a beaming Cummins told reporters.
Australia had found themselves in dire straits at 91/7 while chasing a formidable target of 292 at the floodlit Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Maxwell then launched an extraordinary assault on the Afghan bowlers, smashing an unbeaten 201 off just 128 balls, an innings studded with 21 fours and 10 sixes. Cummins, who played a supporting role with just 12 runs, could only stand and admire Maxwell's superlative performance.
"It's just a one-man show. It's just like, it looks so easy," Cummins said, referring to Maxwell's unparalleled display of batting prowess. Despite suffering from multiple cramps during his innings, Maxwell displayed resilience and continued to pile on the runs, earning praise from his fellow teammate.
Maxwell's extraordinary performance not only secured an astonishing victory but also propelled Australia into the semi-finals of the World Cup, a tournament the team has triumphed in five times before.
"When I went out there, I thought if we can somehow scratch the 200, our net run rate should be pretty good for the semis," Cummins explained, highlighting the strategic importance of improving the net run rate. "When Maxi got his 100, I kind of thought, 'wow, we're within 120 or something'."
However, it was only in the final 20 minutes of the game that Cummins and his teammates truly believed that victory was within their grasp. "And then I still thought, 'no way'. So, I reckon it wasn't until the spinners were just about done and there was maybe 40 off 40 (balls) or something where I thought, 'okay even if Maxie gets out here, I reckon the other guys can get it done."
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.PTIMaxwell's extraordinary innings will go down in cricketing history as one of the most remarkable individual performances, and it has left fans and fellow players in awe of his incredible talent.
(With inputs from Reuters)
