New Delhi: Fans have witnessed some great innings in One-Day International (ODI) cricket over the last three decades but none comes close to the freakish double century scored by Glenn Maxwell in the ODI World Cup 2023. On this day (November 7) in 2023, the Australian batter lit up Wankhede Stadium with perhaps the greatest ODI knock of all time, taking Australia to victory from an impossible situation against an unfortunate and helpless Afghanistan side.
When Maxwell walked out to bat in the World Cup clash in Mumbai, the Aussies were reeling at 49 for 4 in the ninth over, chasing 292. Ten overs later, the most successful World Cup side was staring at a massive defeat after losing their seven wickets for 91 runs.
Maxwell was unbeaten on 22 off 26 balls at that point but from there on the ‘Big Show’ of cricket put on a show of the ages and stunned the cricketing world with his freakish knock.
Maxwell does the impossible
The right-handed batter walked in to face Omarzai’s hat-trick ball in the ninth over and after weathering the storm he unleashed a boundary-hitting storm that blew away the Afghanis. Battling the Mumbai heat and severe body cramps, Maxwell stitched a 202-run partnership with his skipper Pat Cummins – the biggest eighth-wicket stand in men’s ODIs.
Of the 202 runs, 179 came off Maxwell’s bat as he became the first Aussie to score an ODI double-hundred (off 128 balls) in men’s ODIs, and the first to notch up a double ton in an ODI chase.
At one point, he even fell flat on the ground after his legs seized but after receiving a length on-ground treatment, he literally played on one foot to score his next 54 runs (off 29 balls) and sealed Australia’s spot in the semi-finals.
After hitting Mujeeb Ur Rahman for two sixes and a four in the 47th over, Maxwell needed five to win the game and reach the double ton. He achieved both with a massive six over midwicket.
If not for Maxwell’s knock, Australia would have missed out on a place in the semi-finals and the record-extending sixth title, which they won after beating India in the summit clash.
Glenn Maxwell: The ‘Big Show’ of cricket put on a show for the ages and stunned the cricketing world with his freakish knock in the ODI World Cup 2023 clash against Afghanistan. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
