Mad Maxi Fury: Glenn Maxwell's golf-inspired brilliant scoring 201 in a World Cup masterclass
World Cup 2023: In a stunning display of power-hitting and resilience, Glenn Maxwell channeled his inner golfer to produce an unforgettable performance in the 2023 World Cup. His remarkable innings played a pivotal role in Australia's miraculous victory over Afghanistan at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Maxwell's extraordinary knock left cricket enthusiasts and experts in awe. It was a demonstration of his hand-eye coordination and unwavering determination, as he defied cramps to score a whopping 201 not out, representing 68.60 percent of Australia's total runs. This performance is being hailed as one of the greatest in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket.
_078fe462350c9d0bc119747a03916d20_1280X720.webp)
The match was supposed to be historic for Afghanistan, who had posted 291 runs on the board with a remarkable batting effort. Australia, in response, found themselves in dire straits at 49 for 4, then 91 for 7, and even 101 for 7-and-a-half. Their top-order batsmen, including David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh, succumbed to the pressure. Marnus Labuschagne fell victim to a lack of clarity in attempting a risky single, while Marcus Stoinis played an irresponsible reverse sweep against Rashid Khan.
Glenn Maxwell reminded us tonight about the intrinsic beauty, unpredictability and inspiring drama of this wonderful game. Thank you????????????????. — Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) November 7, 2023
Maxwell entered the scene to face a hat-trick ball in the 9th over, and luck was on his side as Afghanistan's fielders dropped two crucial catches during his innings. He narrowly escaped being declared out for LBW in the 21st over, and another opportunity went begging when Mujeeb Ur Rahman failed to hold a straightforward catch.
Despite these near misses, Maxwell persevered. When he came to bat, he was 27 off 35 balls, with captain Pat Cummins as his partner. Maxwell's luck continued as he survived each scare. With his 201 not out off 128 balls, he showcased the beauty, unpredictability, and inspiring drama of cricket.
_f5ce12d980314785eeb41495b899cc92_1280X720.webp)
Maxwell's love for golf is well-known, and he attributes his remarkable hand-eye coordination and big-hitting skills to his passion for the sport. Even a recent golfing mishap that threatened his World Cup participation couldn't deter him. Recovering from a concussion, Maxwell was determined to make an impact in the tournament.
Maxwell's batting style during this historic innings resembled a golfer's swing. Despite suffering from severe cramps, he continued to send the ball soaring into the stands with incredible consistency, hitting 10 sixes and 21 boundaries.
There was a moment when Maxwell's legs almost gave up on him, but he pressed on. When he reached 150 in 104 balls, he displayed an astonishing burst of energy, scoring the next 51 runs in just 24 balls. His shots were unorthodox, defying traditional coaching manuals, including jaw-dropping reverse lap shots for sixes.
Maxwell's incredible performance culminated with four consecutive boundaries – 6, 6, 4, 6 – to bring up the first double hundred by an Australian male cricketer.
Sanjay Bangar, former coach at Maxwell's Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team, emphasized Maxwell's unique golfing skills and his striking range of 400 meters. Maxwell's unconventional style and his different downswing finish make him a standout golfer.
Maxwell's innings not only shattered records but also solidified his reputation as a match-winner. Every time he has batted for more than 60 balls in an ODI, Australia has emerged victorious. Despite breaking his own record of facing more than 100 balls in an ODI innings, he maintained his unbeaten streak of success.
- With inputs from agencies
