Glenn Maxwell appeared utterly shattered, moving on his knees between overs, audibly gasping in pain. Yet, his indomitable spirit remained unwavering. In a stunning display of determination, the Australian cricketer relentlessly swung his bat to craft an unbeaten 201, likely one of the most remarkable ODI innings in history. This monumental performance also marked the greatest innings in a World Cup chase, one that left Afghanistan utterly disheartened.
The World Cup’s giant-killers had managed to reduce Australia to a dire 91/7 while pursuing a target of 292. After defeating the likes of England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, they had Australia on the ropes, with only the formality of delivering the final blow remaining. However, in a game that will be remembered for ages, the roles reversed, and the injured Maxwell turned the tables, leading his team to a dramatic victory.
Maxwell’s double century drew comparisons to Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar’s iconic 194 against India in the 1997 Independence Cup. However, unlike Anwar, Maxwell did not have the luxury of the now-abandoned rule that allowed an injured batsman to have a runner. The 35-year-old pushed his battered body to the limit, struggling to complete singles. There were moments when he collapsed in agony, but each time, he rose to his feet. Despite being unable to bend his legs or stretch his body, his hands continued to furiously dispatch the ball around the ground, shattering Afghanistan’s hopes.
Reflecting on his extraordinary performance, Maxwell later commented, “I hadn’t done much high-intensity exercise in the heat. It was quite hot during the day, and it certainly got to me today.” He remained humble about his accomplishments, saying, “It would have been nice to say it was chanceless, but I led a charmed life, was dropped a few times. There have been occasions when I have been dropped and didn’t make the most of it, so to make the most of it is probably the most pleasing thing.”
In the context of his past struggles and challenges, the phrase “making the most of it” hardly does justice to Maxwell’s remarkable achievement.
During the 2019 World Cup in England, Maxwell found himself in a hospital bed after a bouncer struck him in the nets. Struggling to find form and haunted by frustration, he wished that his injury was more severe, viewing it as a potential escape from his personal disappointment. He later admitted, “I thought it would be my ticket out of disappointment. I felt like I was 100 percent to blame for the team’s failure. I would glance around the dressing room and wonder if others were thinking, ‘If only Max had shown up for this tournament.
