The Australia vs Afghanistan match at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will be remembered for some great reasons, most importantly Glenn Maxwell’s unimaginable match-winning double-century. His innings guided the five-time ODI World Cup winners to secure a spot in the Semi-finals.
Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) hosted that historic ODI World Cup match on November 7. After Afghanistan chose to bat first, they scored 291/5 in 50 overs. Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran (129 not out in 143 balls) scored the first-ever ODI World Cup century for Afghanistan, while the other batters supported him really well, including Rashid Khan’s late cameo 35 not out in 18 balls.
In reply, Australian batting was in deep trouble with 91/7 as they were on the verge of suffering a big shocking defeat.
Glenn Maxwell stunned with his incredible double-century
In the 22nd over, when Australia were batting on 112 runs, Maxwell got a big luck as Mujeeb-ur-Rahman dropped a simple-looking catch at the short fine. Earlier in that same over, Maxwell survived a lbw appeal after his review changed the umpire's decision.
Since the catch drop, Maxwell punished the Afghan bowlers heavily. While the skipper Pat Cummins provided solid support by sticking on the other end, Maxwell just dominated and moved the scoreboard faster with big shots.
Although Maxwell was in trouble for his back issue and terrible cramping, as he once couldn’t run anyway, the right-handed batter never stopped his incredible power-hitting.
With his 21 fours and 10 sixes, Maxwell scored 201 not out in 128 balls. Meanwhile, the skipper Cummins scored 12 not out in 68 balls as their 202 unbeaten partnership for the eighth wicket snatched away the game from Afghanistan incredibly.
With that three-wicket win (with 19 balls remaining), Australia reached the Semi-finals in this tournament. They will face South Africa in the Semi-final at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Here are some crucial stats of Glenn Maxwell’s outstanding 201 not out in 128 balls
(2nd fastest ODI 200 runs)
With his 128-ball double-century, Maxwell recorded the second-fastest ODI double-century. The record is 126-ball 200 runs by Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan (vs Bangladesh at Chittagong on December 10, 2022).
(1st non-opener with an ODI double-century)
Maxwell became the first non-opener to record an ODI double-century. The previous highest individual ODI score by a non-opener was 194 not out by Zimbabwe’s no.3 batter Charles Coventry vs Bangladesh at Bulawayo on August 16, 2009.
(1st Australian with an ODI double hundred)
Maxwell became the first Australian batter to record an ODI double-century. The previous highest individual ODI score by an Australian cricketer was 185 not out by Shane Watson against Bangladesh at Mirpur on April 11, 2011. Meanwhile, their previous ODI World Cup record was 178 by David Warner against Afghanistan at Perth on March 4, 2015.
(1st to score ODI double-century at chasing)
Maxwell became the first cricketer to score an ODI double-century at chasing. The previous record second innings ODI score was 193 by Pakistan cricketer Fakhar Zaman against South Africa at Johannesburg on April 4, 2011.
(3rd to record double hundred in the ODI World Cup)
After West Indies opener Chris Gayle (215 vs Zimbabwe at Canberra on February 24, 2015) and New Zealand opener Martin Guptill (237* vs West Indies at Wellington on March 21, 2015), Maxwell became the third cricketer and first non-opener to record a double-century in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins’ partnership
For the unbroken eighth wicket, Australian cricketers Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins set up a 202-run partnership. It was the record ODI partnership for the seventh or lower wickets. The previous record was 177 runs partnership for the seventh wicket between Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid against New Zealand at Birmingham on June 9, 2015.
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