Glenn Maxwell, the “BigShow,” or “Lord Maxwell.” You can’t use anyone’s name to describe the beast in ODI cricket. ODI cricket is dying, but players like Glenn Maxwell keep this format alive through the sort of innings that he played in Afghanistan. Australia was 91-7, but he took the team to victory, chasing 291, and scored 201 runs in 128 deliveries.
Check: Afghanistan vs Australia Cricket World Cup 2023
During this match, Maxwell not only steered his team towards victory and confirmed a spot in the sem-finals, but he also broke Fakhar Zaman’s record for highest score while chasing in an ODI match.
Fakhar Zaman scored 193 runs while chasing against a match in South Africa. Although Pakistan lost that match, Fakhar broke the record previously. held by Shane Watson.
| Player | Runs | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Maxwell | 201* | Afghanistan | 2023 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 193 | South Africa | 2021 |
| Shane Watson | 185* | Bangladesh | 2011 |
| MS Dhoni | 183* | Sri Lanka | 2005 |
| Virat Kohli | 183 | Pakistan | 2012 |
But Maxy was in the mood to let loose and score runs all over the ground. It wasn’t an elegant innings. This wasn’t the sort of batting you would show to a 12-year old in a cricket academy. No footwork, no basics, exposed stumps, and almost no running between the wickets. These 201 runs were pure carnage, destruction of Afghanistan bowling lineup.
Afghanistan did have a chance to get him out, but Mujeeb dropped his catch, breathing a second life into Australia’s persuit of winning this match. This inning had 14 4s and 10 6s.
Maxwell was unfit during this match, he got cramps, and was hurting with pain. It almost looked like Mohammad Rizwan’s inning while chasing 344 runs against Sri Lanka. However, the history will remember Glenn Maxwell as the gladiator who went against all odds and won his team a match they had almost lost. WHAT A KNOCK!