In the 39th match of the current ICC men’s ODI World Cup 2023, Australia was facing Afghanistan. Glenn Maxwell gave the crowd at Wankhede Stadium one of the best ODI knocks ever.
The Afghan bowlers put pressure on the Australian hitters by defending 292. After causing them much damage, they were reduced to 91/7 after 18.3 overs. It appeared like Australia would suffer a crushing shock defeat at that time.
Glenn Maxwell, though, had other ideas. All the ‘Big Show’ could do was go crazy, and he went all out. When Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was just batting at number 33, lost a dolly catch at short fine, it was certain that this was his day.
He also won an LBW review, and Glenn Maxwell never looked back after his first nervousness. After scoring 27 runs off his first 36 balls, the middle-order dasher needed just 92 more deliveries to reach 174 more runs.
He threw everything to the wind, making the Afghan bowlers make mistakes with their lengths and lines. All by himself, the right-hander led Australia to an unparalleled victory with his physical might, hitting 21 fours and 10 sixes.
He was fighting severe cramps and a back spasm, but he didn’t back down. He battled through the discomfort to plan an impossible run-chase. Later in his inning, he had to stagger for singles. He proceeded to use all of his strength to establish his supremacy, and the Afghan unit was not given another chance by his brilliant strokeplay.
Pat Cummins, with 12 off 68 balls, did his share by sticking in the middle and not losing.
With four overs remaining, Glenn Maxwell was on 179 when Australia needed precisely 21 runs to finish their run-chase. Mujeeb delivered the 47th over, which saw Maxwell hammer three sixes and a four to lead his team into the semifinals and make history as the first Australian to reach a double century in an ODI match.
Granted, the ‘Glenn Maxwell’ concert alone made it an unforgettable night. These are the six biggest records that the Australian batsman destroyed on his way to his undefeated 201.
6. Most runs against spinners in an ODI innings
Teams used to assault Glenn Maxwell with wicket-taking spinners a few years back in an attempt to disrupt him. Nonetheless, he has become one of the most potent hitters against the slower bowlers with to his mastery of several unconventional strokes and incredible strength.
Maxwell passed the record for most runs scored in an ODI innings against spinners on Tuesday. He scored 52 runs off his willow against the quicks, but against the spinners he scored 149 runs.
His 149 runs have now surpassed Sean Williams’ record for the most in an ODI innings. Earlier this year, Williams had faced off against the USA in an ICC 2023 World Cup qualifying, scoring 132 off 174 against spinners.
5. Highest ODI score while batting at No. 6 or below
In the powerplay, Australia was 49/4 when Glenn Maxwell batted at No. 6. His 201* knock is now the best individual score in One-Day International cricket by a player batting at No. 6 or below.
Second on the list is now another historical blow, when Kapil Dev crushed Zimbabwe for 175 runs during the 1983 World Cup.
In List-A cricket, Maxwell’s 201* is currently the greatest individual score achieved when batting at position six. In 2019, David Wiese batted at No. 6 for Sussex and made 171 runs.
4. Highest partnership for 7th wicket or lower in ODI history
Against Afghanistan, Glenn Maxwell and Cummins scored 202* runs for the ninth wicket. While Maxwell handled the most of the scoring, Cummins’ contribution was equally significant.
Their 202*-run partnership is currently the most in one-day internationals for any seventh-wicket or lower partnership. The pair surpassed Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid’s 177-run partnership against New Zealand in Birmingham in 2015.
3. Highest ODI score for Australia
Australia currently had their first double century after a total of 994 ODIs. Over the years, the record five-time World Cup champions have consistently developed outstanding hitting abilities.
However, Maxwell’s 201* is currently the greatest individual score for the Australian team in ODIs. Shane Watson held the previous record, scoring 185* against Bangladesh at Mirpur in 2011.
2. First ODI double century by a non-opener
Prior to the Australia vs. Afghanistan match, there had been 10 ODI individual double hundreds, but none had come from a non-opening batter.
The list was stacked with opening batsmen, ranging from Sachin Tendulkar (200* versus SA) to Shubman Gill (208 vs NZ).
Glenn Maxwell is also the first non-opener to score a double century in an ODI innings. As previously stated, he batted at No. 6.
1. First ODI double century while chasing
Another thing that the prior double hundreds had in common was that they all occurred while batting first. Batting first gives a batsman more freedom to hit. However, with the scoreboard pressure on, it is usually difficult to put up big runs while batting second.
Glenn Maxwell displayed steely nerves against Afghanistan, bringing his team home when chasing 292 in Mumbai. His 201* is the first double ton in One-Day International history while chasing.
