World Cup 2023: Maxwell smashes 201* to stun Afghanistan and power Australia into semi-finals
Glenn Maxwell battled through injury to hit a sensational double-century against Afghanistan and guide Australia into the World Cup semi-finals.
Maxwell arrived at the crease to face a hat-trick ball after Australia slumped to 91-7 in pursuit of 292 in Mumbai.
He was dropped twice and struggled with a back injury and cramps, but played a remarkable innings, often on one leg post-century, to finish 201 not out off 128.
He shared 202 with Pat Cummins (12*) as Australia won with 19 balls to spare.
Afghanistan, who had earlier made 291-5 with Ibrahim Zadran hitting their first World Cup century, were well set to join Australia in the current top four after a rampant start in the field before Maxwell produced one of the all-time great innings.
He had already hit the fastest World Cup century earlier in the tournament against the Netherlands and returned to the Australia side for this game after missing Saturday’s win over England because of a concussion sustained after falling off the back of a golf buggy.
It was a truly breathtaking innings, with remarkable reverse sweeps for six, flicks and whips over the leg side on one leg, which will also be remembered as an incredible show of grit and determination.
He is the first Australian to hit a double-century in a one-day international and was mobbed by his ecstatic team-mates, who could barely believe what they had seen.
The win sees Australia join India and South Africa in the final four.
One of New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan will claim the final knockout spot – all three sides are currently on eight points – with the group stage finishing on Sunday.
Maxwell produces all-time great innings
At the interval a tight game felt likely, though Afghanistan were favourites, with no side completing a chase of more than 281 at the Wankhede Stadium and Australia also needing to pull off their highest chase in World Cups.
After Afghanistan’s rampant start, where Australia were guilty of loose strokeplay and lacking a calm head, it looked certain Jonathan Trott’s side would pull off their first win over Australia.
Yet Afghanistan let the game slip when Maxwell was dropped in the covers on 24, before Mujeeb Ur Rahman put down an easy chance at short fine leg with Maxwell on 33.
He was also halfway off the pitch after reviewing when given out lbw on 27, only to return in shock when the technology showed it was going over the stumps.
The 35-year-old is one the most destructive batters in the game and this was another example of his game-changing talent.
He struck 10 fours and three sixes in his first century, which came up off 76 balls, before the back struggles and cramp left him hobbling.
He received treatment on numerous occasions, while Adam Zampa, the next man in, came down prepared to bat twice.
But Maxwell persevered, his second century taking 54 balls, with most boundaries followed by a grimace or stretch of the leg or back.
The all-rounder showed a nerveless ability to clear the ropes and find the gaps, but also calmly turned down singles and twos he knew he could not make, while never letting the require run rate spiral.
He finished the game with a monstrous flick over the leg side to bring up his double century off 128 balls, including 21 fours and 10 sixes. (BBC Sport)
