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Celebrities and cricket fans applaud Maxwell’s 201-run innings, which helped Australia defeat Afghanistan in an incredible fashion.
Glenn “on-no-legs” Maxwell made history when he hit the highest-ever one-day international (ODI) score by an Australian batter, clobbering Mujeeb-ur-Rahman for a six over deep midwicket to win the ICC Cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan and end his innings on 201 runs not out.
During Tuesday night’s play in Mumbai, Maxwell, hobbling and grimacing with pain from the cramps throughout his body, accomplished an almost unbelievable feat: he shattered the record for the greatest score—and the only double hundred—in an ODI run-chase.
Later, Maxwell said that he was in excruciating agony throughout his body and that he nearly gave up during his historic match-winning innings, which is being heralded as the greatest one-day knock in history.
But Maxwell paid a price for it: he was plagued by excruciating cramps. There was a point when he gave way in excruciating pain, hobbling between the wickets.
Following the game, former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith, who was providing commentary, stated, “I don’t know if there are any other cricketers in the world that could do what he did.”
“At one point, he performed as though he only had arms and a will, and no legs.”
“Whole body hurting”
Maxwell acknowledged talking to Australian physiotherapist Nick Jones about retiring when his body failed him and he collapsed with 55 runs remaining to win at 147.
But he ignored the agony since there was still a chance to advance to the World Cup semifinals, and Maxwell was spearheading Australia’s comeback after they had fallen down 91-7.
It was an odd one because I had a cramp in my big toe that kind of extended up the front of my shin. He told Australian reporters during the game, “And then as I went out to try and get down the other end, I cramped in that calf as well.
I was experiencing lower leg cramps on both sides. Simultaneously with my thought, “Oh no, I’m cramping,” I had a cramp in my left hamstring. I then said, “I have both legs.” And as I struck the floor, I got a back spasm.
“I was in excruciating pain all over my body.”
“Supernatural powers” Maxwell went on to establish a record eighth-wicket partnership with skipper Pat Cummins, scoring just 12 runs between them.
Australia’s place in the last four was guaranteed with what Cummins referred to as the “greatest ODI innings that has ever happened.”
Cummins said on Cricket Australia’s website, “We were just talking about it, all the players, and we’ve decided it’s one of those days where you just go, ‘I was there in the stadium the day Glenn Maxwell chased down that total by himself.'”
Maxwell played the inning “on no legs,” according to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was also doing commentary at the conclusion of the inning.
It’s something you will never, ever see again in international cricket, Ponting remarked in disbelief. “I have played a lot of cricket and I have watched a lot of cricket, but I have never seen anything like this.”
Author of cricket articles Geoff Lemon called Maxwell a “sporting genius” because of the circumstances under which he accomplished the achievement.
Some of the greatest cricket players in history agreed with the notion and were equally taken aback.
“Maximum performance without maximum pressure! Indian great Sachin Tendulkar posted on X, previously Twitter, saying, “This has been the best ODI knock I’ve seen in my life.” Former India coach Ravi Shastri referred to it as “stunning.”
Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop praised it as a reminder of “the intrinsic beauty, unpredictability and inspiring drama of this wonderful game,” while England’s Ben Stokes commented just, “My goodness Maxi.”
Javeria Khan, a cricket player for Pakistan’s women, described Maxwell as “an alien with supernatural powers.”
SOURCE:- ALJAZEERA
