ODI World Cup 2023

WATCH- Wankhede crowd roars for Glenn Maxwell before all-rounder reciprocates love

In a remarkable display of resilience and power, Glenn Maxwell yesterday etched his name in cricket history with an astonishing 201-run knock, propelling Australia to a thrilling victory over Afghanistan in the World Cup. Maxwell’s innings was a masterclass in audacity, as he single-handedly resurrected Australia’s innings from the brink of collapse. With Australia teetering at 91- 7, Maxwell stepped up to the crease, determined to rescue his team from the jaws of defeat.

From the outset, Maxwell displayed an unwavering determination, attacking the Afghan bowlers. His fearless strokeplay, punctuated by a series of audacious sixes, kept the Australian scoreboard ticking and instilled a sense of belief among his teammates. As the innings progressed, Maxwell’s dominance grew, and he began to unleash his full repertoire of shots. His unorthodox techniques, often criticized in the past, came to the fore as he dismantled the Afghan attack with a combination of audacious sweeps, reverse flicks, and powerful lofted drives.

Australia eventually won the game by 3 wickets with more than three overs to spare. Maxwell has earned a lot of appreciation for his sensational knock and quite deservingly so.

Wankhede crowd gets behind the ‘Big Show’

Maxwell was down & out with cramps but the support for him in Wankhede was incredible and given the energy for Maxi….!!!!!!

– Mumbai is the home of Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/17so0wig7K

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 8, 2023

What made Maxwell’s knock even more special was the fact that apart from the obvious challenge, he was also physically incapacitated. He was battling severe cramps, and after facing the second ball of the 41st over, he had to be attended to by the physio and substitutes. Even the umpire tried to assist him, but the pain was unbearable.

At that point, the Wankhede Stadium crowd rallied behind Glenn Maxwell, cheering for him. For a couple of minutes, it looked like Maxwell would go back to the pavilion but that wasn’t the case as the ‘Big Show’ was ready to put his body on the line. Maxwell refused to succumb to the pain, determined to contribute to his team’s success. The Mumbai crowd, sensing his determination, erupted in thunderous applause, their voices echoing through the stadium, urging Maxwell to continue his fight.

Maxwell, visibly moved by the crowd’s unwavering support, dug deep, channelling the energy from the stands into his performance. He delivered a series of powerful shots, defying the limitations imposed by his cramps, and did the unthinkable.