“From Max pressure to Max performance! This has been the best ODI knock I’ve seen in my life,” Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar mentioned.
Glenn Maxwell mentioned his whole body was in ache and that he virtually retired during an epic match-winning double century for Australia on the 50-overs World Cup, hailed Wednesday as the best one-day knock of all time.
The mercurial Australian smacked a exceptional 201 not out as his group efficiently chased 292 for victory over Afghanistan in Mumbai on Tuesday.
It was solely the third double hundred in World Cup historical past and the primary in a run chase.
But it got here at a worth, with Maxwell riddled by extreme cramps. He collapsed in agony at one stage, barely capable of stroll as he limped between the wickets.
Maxwell admitted discussing with Australian physio Nick Jones whether or not he ought to retire after his body gave up and he sank to the bottom whereas on 147 and with 55 runs nonetheless wanted to win.
Cramps
But with a spot in the World Cup semi-finals at stake and Maxwell main the restoration after Australia had slumped to 91-7, he defied the discomfort.
“It was a strange one, because I was cramping in one of my toes, which was sort of going up the front of my shin. And then as I set off to try and get down the other end, I cramped in that calf as well,” he advised Australian media.
“So I used to be cramping each side of my decrease leg. And as I went ‘Oh no, I’m cramping,’ I cramped in my left hamstring on the identical time. So I used to be like, ‘I’ve bought each legs.’ And then I had a again spasm after I hit the bottom.
“So I was just like full body just in pain.”
‘Stay at same end’
Jones advised he ought to retire, however Maxwell was having none of it after being advised the possibilities of having the ability to return after remedy, if wanted, weren’t good.
“We talked about coming off, trying to get some work into my back and trying to loosen up my legs a little bit,” mentioned the 35-year-old, who missed Australia’s earlier match as a result of a concussion after falling off a golf cart.
“Jonesy, the physio, mentioned it might be actually laborious for me to come back again down the steps after that.
“We just came up with ‘let’s stay at the same end’ for as long as you can until you feel like you can walk to the other end or if there’s an easy single here and there.”
Maxwell went on to compile the highest-ever ODI rating by an Australian in a 202-run eighth-wicket stand with captain Pat Cummins, who contributed simply 12 in the partnership.
‘Greatest ODI innings ever’
Cummins referred to as it the “greatest ODI innings that has ever happened”, sealing Australia’s spot in the final 4.
“We were just chatting 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’,” Cummins advised cricket.com.au.
“He was cramping, but I think you saw out there how much he loves playing for Australia.”
The sentiment was shared by a number of the world’s cricketing greats, who had been additionally left surprised.
“From Max pressure to Max performance! This has been the best ODI knock I’ve seen in my life,” Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar mentioned on X, previously Twitter, whereas ex-India coach Ravi Shastri referred to as it “stunning”.
England’s Ben Stokes merely mentioned: “My goodness Maxi”, whereas former West Indies quick bowler Ian Bishop hailed it as a reminder of “the intrinsic beauty, unpredictability and inspiring drama of this wonderful game”.
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