Congratulations poured online in after Glenn Maxwell hit 201* against Afghanistan in one of the greatest comeback knocks to seal Australia’s place in the semi-final of the World Cup 2023.
Defeat seemed inevitable as Australia lost their seventh wicket for just 91 while chasing Afghanistan’s target of 292. Azmatullah Omarzai took as many wickets as he took two balls and Marnus Labuschagne suffered a disastrous run-out as the top and middle order collapsed.
Maxwell, who has witnessed much of the collapse since his days as a non-striker, remained Australia’s only hope. He was dropped by Mujeeb-ur-Rahman for 33 off the bowling of Noor Ahmad. He rose to the challenge, overcoming cramps and hitting an undefeated 201 off 128 balls, single-handedly leading his team to the goal line and securing a spot in the semi-finals. Maxwell scored most of the runs (179 runs) in a 202-run stand with skipper Pat Cummins in rearguard action, scoring 12 runs off 68 balls.
Shortly after Maxwell scored his fourth ODI ton, cramps limited his movement and forced him to rely on boundaries. He often limped around after singles and held strikes at the end of overs. Afghanistan trusted Maxwell to land his 21st quad and 10th six, many with one foot from inside the crease, sealing the victory for the five-time world champion. I looked on, as if I couldn’t help myself.
Maxwell became the first double centurion in the ODI chase. He also became the owner of the highest individual score in a chase in a World Cup match, surpassing Andrew Strauss’s 158 points against India in 2011.
Social media was abuzz with many claiming it was the best ODI innings of all time.
A wonderful knock by @IZadran18 to put Afghanistan in a good position. They started well in the 2nd half and played good cricket for 70 overs but the last 25 overs from @Gmaxi_32 was more than enough to change their fortune.
From maximum pressure to maximum performance! That’s… pic.twitter.com/M1CBulAgKw
– Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) 7. November 2023< /p>
The best ODI innings of all time
– Matt Roller (@mroller98) 7. November 2023
My goodness Maxi 😮😮😮
– Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) 7. November 2023
Whatever happens from here, are we already talking the greatest one-day innings of all time?
– Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) 7. November 2023
Old people on Twitter, is this what Kapil Dev sir’s 175 looked like? Sorry, sounded like?
– DanishSait (@DanishSait) 7. November 2023
I never saw Marshall batting with a broken thumb against England in a Test, or Ranatunga playing similarly against Pakistan in series winning Test in Pakistan but in a WORLD cup when pressure was so intense , #Maxwell has played an insane innings.
– ヴィマル कुमार (@Vimalwa) 7. November 2023
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