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Australia’s hard-hitting Glenn Maxwell pulled off the unthinkable after Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Maxwell dampened the spirits of Afghanistan players as they had their tails up after reducing Australia to 91/7 in the run chase. Maxwell battled the hot and humid weather of Mumbai and the cramps caused by it. But Maxwell’s 201 was not a chanceless knock. Mujeeb Ur Rahman dropped an easy catch in the 22nd over which gave Maxwell a second chance and he made it count.
“It would have been nice if it was a chanceless knock, but I had my chances, to make the most of it tonight was something I can be proud of,” Maxwell told the broadcasters after guiding Australia to a three-wicket win over Afghanistan.
Maxwell blamed himself for not exercising enough in the heat as it was the main reason he struggled with the cramps.
“It was hot while fielding today, I haven't done a lot of exercise in the heat, it got a hold on me today. I wanted to stay back and get some movement (on my legs),” Maxwell revealed.
While he pulled off a herculean task, Maxwell did not plan his innings and focused on sticking to his strength and playing big shots.
“Not too much, just stick to the batting plans as much as possible, for me, still be positive, still look to play my shots, that LBW, it was going just above (the stumps), probably that made me be more proactive,” the 35-year-old said.
Maxwell said that there was a need to be cautious early on as the new ball was doing a bit under the lights. Maxwell's unbeaten 201 is the highest individual score for Australia in ODIs breaking Shane Watson's record of unbeaten 185 against Bangladesh in 2011. He is also the first batter to score a double century in an ODI run chase. This is also the third-highest individual score in World Cups.
He shared a 201-run partnership with Pat Cummins. This is the highest partnership for seventh wicket or below in ODIs. Cummins did not contribute much to the score as he had faced 68 deliveries with 12 runs to his name.
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