Glenn Maxwell’ celebration pic
Cricket is a sports of glorious uncertainties, but on November 7, 2023, in Mumbai, Glenn Maxwell reinterpreted what ” miracle” is in cricket. Playing against Afghanistan in a world cup group game, five time world cup winning australia were on the brink of humilitaion. They wrere 91 for 7 and needed 292 to win. The Afghan bowlers had demolished the top and middle order, and victory was a far cry.
But then arrived arrived Glenn Maxwell, the man of audacity, of improvisation, of stroke play without fear. What transpired was not merely a cricketing knock, but an epic saga of human endurance, of resilience, and of belief. His unbeaten 201 off 128* wasn’t just an innings.
The Collapse: Australia on the Brink
Afghanistan had already demonstrated themselves as giant- killers during the 2023 world cup, having beaten Pakistan, Sri lanka and England. Playinh against Australia at Wankhede Stadium, they played magnificent cricket to score 291/5, courtesy of Ibrahim Zadran’s century. For Afghanistan, the dream to beat Australia – A side with unparalleled world cup history- was tangible and real.
When it was time to chase, it soon became a nightmare for Australia.
-David Warner dismissed Cheaply.
– Mitchell Marsh also Followed.
– Marnus Labuschagne trapped LBW
-Stive Smith, the reliable one, failed too.
At 91 for 7, the board didn,t lie. Australia weren’t only losing- they were finished. Commentators were already talking about Afghanistan making it to the semifinals.
And then there was Maxwell’s madness.
Maxwell vs. The Impossible
Maxwell was batting on one leg literally. cramping severely, hardly able to move, he hobbled and winced with each run. He often fell to the ground, not even able to stand upright. Conventional wisdom dictated that he should retire hurt. But conventional wisdom does not apply to Glenn maxwell.
Rather than doing that, he launched a couterattack that defied comprehension. Sixes over deep midwicket despite not being able to move his feet.
Reverse sweeps against four world class spinners such as Rashid Khan.
Cummins partnership
At the opposite end , skipper pat cummins was idel survivor. He mustered just 12* from 68 balls, but his presence gave Maxwell the paltform to work his magic. Their unbeaten eighth wicket stand of 202 runs is a world cup record and one of the greatest stands in ODI cricket. Cummins defended, blocked, and absorbed pressure. Maxwell tore apart loose things. It was poetry in contrast- one man not going out, the other not slowing down.
The Double Century
As the match progressed, Maxwell’s cramps intensified. He Could barely run between wickets, surviving on boundaries alone. But the boundaries just came poring one after another.
He scored his 100 off 76 off the ball – already a remarkable feat considering the match situation
He did not let up . Rain of sixes continued.
In the 47th over, he had reached 200 off only 128 balls—the first-ever double century in World Cup chase history.
Maxwell had rewritten history. Australia, from 91 for 7, chased 292 with 19 balls remaining. The cricketing fraternity stood agog.
Emotions of a Miracle
The Wankhede audience, first shocked into silence, was in applause as history was scripted. Afghanistan players, having come so close to the biggest victory in their history, were left dumbstruck. Australian supporters couldn’t get over what they saw.
Social media went crazy. Ex-cricketers called it the greatest ODI innings ever played. Commentators went into a word search. And Glenn Maxwell—tired, in apparent agony—just smiled, aware he had done something nobody else had ever had the imagination to dream of.
Why Maxwell’s 201 Was Special
Context of Collapse – Australia were nearly out at 91 for 7. This was no flat-track hundred. This was survival against adversity.
Physical Struggle – Batting in cramps, not moving his feet as much, Maxwell’s innings was as much about will as about technique.
Match Situation – It was a World Cup match, not a bilateral series. The pressure was monstrous, the opposition relentless.
Statistical Rarity – First double hundred in a World Cup pursuit. Highest score by an Australian in ODIs.
Impact on Tournament – The victory booked Australia’s semifinal place and shattered Afghanistan’s dream journey.
Maxwell: The Maverick
Glenn Maxwell is a maverick in every sense. Dubbed “The Big Show,” he has boggled crowds with bold shots, yet been criticized for inconsistency. But when the chips were down, he delivered the innings of his life.
This 201 wasn’t just about skill—it was about courage. It was about a man refusing to give up when his team needed him most. It was about the spirit of cricket, where miracles can unfold when talent meets belief.
Legacy of the Knock
Years to come, when others speak about the best ODI innings, Glenn Maxwell’s 201* will take its rightful place alongside Kapil Dev’s 175* in 1983, Sachin Tendulkar’s 200 in 2010, and Ben Stokes’ 2019 World Cup crusade.
For Australia, it will be etched in the memory forever as “The 201 Miracle.”
For Afghanistan, it will be the one that got away.
To cricket followers, it will be a reminder of the reasons why we follow this lovely, unpredictable game.
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