The Big Glen Maxwell Show, double century CWC 2023
Glenn James Maxwell a name that is written in this history of world cricket in golden words. Born in Kew Victoria, he joined the Australian mens cricket in 2012 and played against Afghanistan in his debut match at Sharjah. The spectators in Mumbai had a gala watching The Big Glen Maxwell Show.
- Location – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
- Date – 07 NOV 2023
- Score Summary:
- Afghanistan 290 for 5 in 50 overs: Ibrahim Zadran (129), Rashid Khan (35), Rashid Khan (2-44)
- Australia 293 for 7 wickets in 46.5 overs: Glenn Maxwell (201), Mitchell Marsh (24), Josh Hazlewood (2-39)
- Man Of the Match – Glenn Maxwell (Australia) (Score 201 runs in 128 balls)
On 07 Nov 2023 Australia played the ICC Cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Afghanistan took to bat for the first innings and scored a respectable 291 for the loss of 5 wickets in 50 overs. Their star batsman Ibrahim Zadran scored a 129 runs in 143 balls.
When Australia came to bat, they were confident that they will be able to sail through the target run chase. With sun setting over Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the moisture builds up and the wicket was showing signs of a good balling pitch. Afghanistan team maintained their discipline with the first Australian wicket falling on the second ball of the second over Travis Head went for a duck.
By the eight over Australia was already down by 4 wickets for only 49 runs in total. Then arrived “The Big Show” nick name of Glenn Maxwell. It is the same opponent against whom he played his 50 over debut in 2012. Maxi maintained the falling fort along with Marnus Labuschagne till 14th over, when Marnus was run out. Marnus was running slow and it lead to his run out.
Then Marcus Stoinis gave company to Maxi for another couple of overs, when his wicket was taken by Afghanistan’s star player Rashid Khan in 16th over. Now Australia was down by 6 wickets for 87 runs. Surprisingly, Michell Starc came to the crease and his wicket was also taken by Rashid Khan in the 18th over. At this point Australia was down by 7 wickets for just 91 runs. The target was just shy of 200 runs with Pat Cummins – Captain Australia arrived on the ground.
It took both Maxi and Pat a couple of overs to stabalize before they started recovering the run rate. The target appeared difficult to achieve, but Maxi maintained momentum by scoring boundaries. During this time Maxwell was struck down by injury and cramping. Maxwell was barely able to walk as suffered back issue and terrible cramping during this match.
He was barely able to stand on one leg and he was hitting each ball over the boundary. A point came when he couldn’t stand Cummins signalled to Zamps Adam Zampa to get down because Maxi couldn’t move and then the team physio convinced Maxi that if he came off, it might be worse off. He was even dropped twice by Afghanistan players.
He scored an unbeaten innings from just 128 deliveries, a staggering 201 runs which includes 10 sixes and 21 fours. Maxwell’s performance came after he was ruled out of Australia’s previous match against England after a golf-cart accident that left him shaken.
He took Australia from 7-91 past required total of 5-291 to mark a three-wicket victory, which sailed Australia through to a semifinal clash with South Africa.
The cricket greats were no short of words describing the great innings by Maxi.
Sachin Tendulkar said “It’s just a one-man show. I’m up the other end and don’t see any gaps in the field, don’t see where I’m going to score a boundary and yet it seems like every time he sees that, it still just runs away for four. It looks so easy.
“From Max pressure to Max performance! This has been the best ODI knock I’ve seen in my life”.
