Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell (Photo-PTI)
Australia’s explosive batsman Glenn Maxwell played an amazing inning in the 39th match of the World Cup-2023. In the match played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, he played an unbeaten inning of 201 runs in 128 balls against Afghanistan. Maxwell single-handedly led the Australian team to victory. Afghanistan, batting first, set a target of 292 runs for Australia. On the basis of Maxwell’s double century, Australia achieved this target by losing 7 wickets in 46.5 overs.
Maxwell told to whom he dedicated this incredible innings. After the match he said, Australian team won! We won, I will dedicate this victory to those women who were not allowed to study, I raise my bat in solidarity with them and the World Cup campaign will continue.
Despite the stiffness in the leg…
Despite stiffness in his leg, Maxwell played such an innings. Maxwell made an unbroken partnership of 202 runs for the eighth wicket with Pat Cummins (12 not out in 68 balls), which is the biggest partnership for the last three wickets in the history of ODI cricket. Maxwell’s dominance in this partnership can be gauged from the fact that his contribution was 179 runs.
Maxwell took Australia to the target by hitting three consecutive sixes and one four on Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Earlier, it was Mujeeb who had dropped his catch. With this, Maxwell became the top scorer in ODI cricket for Australia. He left behind Shane Watson who had scored unbeaten 185 runs against Bangladesh in April 2011. This is also Australia’s biggest win in the World Cup while chasing the target.
Australia’s score at one time was 91 runs at the loss of 7 wickets. Maxwell held one end. He was also given life by Mujeeb on the ball of Noor Ahmed at the score of 33 runs. Earlier, he was also successful in changing the decision of LBW with the help of DRS. He completed his half-century in 51 balls with four fours on Noor.
After completing his half-century, Maxwell adopted a stormy attitude. After hitting two consecutive sixes on Noor, he hit a four and a six on consecutive balls on Mujeeb. Maxwell completed his century in just 76 balls with one run off the bowling of Noor Ahmed. He stood firm despite the stiffness in his legs. Australia needed 60 runs to win in the last 10 overs and Maxwell single-handedly took the team to the target.
