Glenn Maxwell hit one of the great World Cup innings with 201 not out to help propel Australia into the semi-finals and deny Afghanistan another upset.
Maxwell came in with Australia in serious trouble at 49 for four – they later slumped to 91 for seven – attempting to chase down their victory target of 292 and almost single-handedly guided his side to a three-wicket victory with the next highest score on the batting card being Mitch Marsh’s 24.
Towards the end he could barely move due to cramp and fatigue but found the inner strength to smash 22 off the 47th over to guide Australia home with 19 balls to spare.
Maxwell, who missed the win over England after suffering a concussion following a golf cart accident, hit his double hundred off 128 balls and included 21 fours and 10 sixes.
His partnership with Pat Cummins which saw them home was worth 202, of which the Australia skipper contributed 12.
Glenn Maxwell overcame adversities to smash a record double ton in an epic Australia win ⚡
He’s the @aramco #POTM 🏏#CWC23 | #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/EcfMPqqqAr
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 7, 2023
The win, Australia’s sixth in a row, sees them advance to the last four while Afghanistan will have to win their last game and hope their net run-rate is enough.
Asked how he felt after his knock, Maxwell said: “Horrific, I feel shocking! It was hot when we were fielding and I haven’t done a whole lot of high-intensity exercise in the heat and it got hold of me today.
“We came out with a plan and luckily enough I was able to stick it out to the end.”
