India (Commonwealth) _ Glenn Maxwell overcame injuries to score a spectacular double century against Afghanistan, propelling Australia to the World Cup semi-finals.
Maxwell stepped at the wicket at 49-4 to face a hat-trick ball, but Australia collapsed to 91-7 chasing 292 in Mumbai. He was dropped twice and fought with a back pain and cramp, but he played a fantastic innings to end 201 not out, frequently on one leg post-century. He and Pat Cummins (12*) shared 202 as Australia triumphed with 19 balls to spare.
Afghanistan, who had previously scored 291-5 with Ibrahim Zadran scoring their maiden World Cup century, were destined to join Australia in the current top four with a dominant start in the field before Maxwell delivered one of the all-time great innings.
He had previously set the quickest World Cup century against the Netherlands earlier in the tournament, and he returned to Australia’s lineup for this game after missing Saturday’s triumph over England due to a concussion incurred after falling off the back of a golf buggy.
It was an absolutely stunning innings, with fantastic reverse sweeps for six, flicks and whips over the leg side on one leg, and an outstanding display of guts and commitment.
He is the first Australian to score a double century in a men’s one-day international, and he was swarmed by his overjoyed teammates, who couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed. It is the 11th double ton in men’s ODI history, however it is the first while chasing and the first by a hitter who did not bat first in all ODIs.
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Australia’s sixth consecutive victory advances them to the semi-finals against South Africa. All three sides are presently on eight points, therefore one of New Zealand, Pakistan, or Afghanistan will likely take the last knockout position to meet leaders India.
The 35-year-old is one of the game’s most lethal batters, and this was again another illustration of his game-changing ability. He hit 10 fours and three sixes in his first century, which came off 76 balls, before back problems and cramp forced him to walk.
The all-rounder was treated many times, while Adam Zampa, the next man in, came down prepared to bat twice. But Maxwell persisted, scoring his second century in 54 balls, with the majority of boundaries accompanied by a grimace or stretch of the leg or back.
He shown a fearless ability to clear the ropes and locate the gaps, but he also calmly declined singles and twos he knew he couldn’t make, never allowing the required run rate to spiral. He completed his double century off 128 balls, including 21 fours and 10 sixes, with a massive flip over the leg side.
Glenn Maxwell, Australia’s match winner: “Horrific, I feel shocking.” It was extremely hot when we were fielding, and I hadn’t done any high-intensity activity in the heat before. It took a hold of me, and I was lucky to make it to the conclusion.
It would’ve been lovely if it wasn’t by coincidence; I’ve had a pretty fortunate existence out there. To make the most of it, don’t go out with Patty (Cummins) in the end, which I’m proud of.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins stated he didn’t know how to put it. A fantastic victory, but Maxi was out of this world. It has to be the best ODI innings in history, he remarked.
“Really disappointed,” says Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. Cricket is a hilarious sport; it was incredible. All of the bowlers started well, but we missed chances for the eighth wicket. Maxwell never stops, and I have to give him credit for that, he remarked.
