Historical retrospectives
Historical · 2023
The Miracle in Mumbai: Glenn Maxwell's 201*
Battling severe cramps and a catastrophic top-order collapse, Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan to orchestrate the greatest run chase in ODI history.
It was November 7, 2023, under the glaring lights of Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, and a cricketing miracle was about to unfold. Afghanistan, the undisputed giant-killers of the 2023 World Cup, had posted a formidable 291 for 5, anchored by Ibrahim Zadran's historic century. When Australia's formidable batting lineup completely disintegrated to 91 for 7 in the chase, the writing wasn't just on the wall; it was etched in stone. A monumental upset was brewing, and the Afghan pace and spin attack were circling to apply the finishing blow. Australia's hopes rested squarely on the shoulders of their final recognized batter: Glenn Maxwell.\n\nWhat transpired next defied logic, biomechanics, and the very fabric of One Day International cricket. Maxwell didn't just mount a rescue mission; he launched a breathtaking counter-attack. But the true legend of this innings wasn't just the sheer volume of runs—it was the excruciating physical agony he endured to get them. Stricken by full-body cramps in the sweltering Mumbai humidity, Maxwell repeatedly collapsed onto the turf. By the time he crossed his century, his legs had essentially given out. Unable to run between the wickets, he was reduced to a stationary batter. Relying entirely on raw core power, superhuman hand-eye coordination, and an unyielding will, he began to simply stand and deliver, swatting world-class bowlers over the boundary ropes without moving his feet.\n\nWith Australian captain Pat Cummins playing the ultimate anchor role at the other end—scoring a watchful, defensive 12 not out off 68 balls in a staggering 202-run partnership—Maxwell bludgeoned 21 fours and 10 massive sixes. The unforgettable crescendo arrived in the 47th over when he casually dispatched Mujeeb Ur Rahman into the stands, simultaneously bringing up his double century and sealing the most improbable victory with a single swing of his bat.\n\nFinishing on 201 not out off just 128 balls, Maxwell became the first male cricketer to ever score an ODI double hundred during a run chase, and the first non-opener to achieve the feat. For fans revisiting the 2023 archive, 'The Big Show' in Mumbai wasn't just a masterclass in clean hitting. It was a testament to sheer human endurance, instantly immortalized by pundits and legends as the greatest white-ball innings ever played.
Historical · 2023
The Miracle in Mumbai: Glenn Maxwell's 201*
Battling severe cramps and a collapsing batting order, Glenn Maxwell hit a superhuman 201 not out to rescue Australia from 91/7 and complete one of the greatest run chases in World Cup history.
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, November 7, 2023. Australia were staring into the abyss. Chasing Afghanistan's 292, the five-time champions had sensationally collapsed to 91 for 7. Afghanistan’s bowling attack was running riot, and the crowd sensed a historic upset. Enter Glenn Maxwell, stepping out to the crease to orchestrate what would become arguably the greatest individual innings in the history of One Day International cricket.
At first, Maxwell needed a stroke of luck—surviving an overturned LBW call and a dropped catch at short fine leg. But what transformed his innings from a brilliant counter-attack into a mythological epic was the dramatic failure of his own body. Shortly after bringing up his century, Maxwell was struck by severe, full-body cramps. At times, he lay flat on his back, writhing in agony, entirely unable to walk, let alone sprint between the wickets. Spinner Adam Zampa stood by the boundary ropes, fully geared up, waiting for Maxwell to retire hurt. Instead, Maxwell waved him away.
What followed was a breathtaking display of sheer willpower and hand-eye coordination. Completely stripped of footwork, Maxwell turned into a stationary ball-striking machine. Operating entirely from his crease, he used pure upper-body strength to muscle the ball into the stands. He reverse-swept, flicked, and drove his way through the Afghan attack, hitting 21 fours and 10 towering sixes. At the other end stood captain Pat Cummins, who played the ultimate supporting role, contributing just 12 runs off 68 balls in an astonishing 202-run unbroken partnership.
The climax was pure cinema. Needing five runs to win the match and five runs to reach a double-century, Maxwell launched a monstrous six over deep mid-wicket. He finished on 201 not out off 128 deliveries. It was the first-ever double century in an ODI run chase and the highest individual score by an Australian. For younger fans looking back, Maxwell’s 201* is the ultimate testament to the phrase "never give up." It wasn’t just a masterclass in power-hitting; it was a superhuman defiance of physical limits that single-handedly dragged Australia into the semi-finals.
Historical · 2023
The Miracle at Wankhede: Glenn Maxwell's 201*
Battling crippling full-body cramps, Glenn Maxwell scored an impossible unbeaten 201 to rescue Australia from 91/7 and pull off the greatest chase in ODI history against Afghanistan.
The air in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium hung thick and heavy on the evening of November 7, 2023. Afghanistan, the tournament's undisputed giant-slayers, had posted a formidable 291 and systematically dismantled the Australian top order under the stadium lights. When Mitchell Starc departed in the 19th over, Australia was reeling at 91 for 7. Statistical models gave the Aussies a mere 0.2% chance of winning. A historic Afghan upset felt entirely inevitable.
Then came the miracle.
Glenn Maxwell, batting at number six, dug in alongside captain Pat Cummins. What started as a desperate salvage operation slowly morphed into an exhibition of pure, unadulterated willpower. As Maxwell crossed his century, the humid Mumbai evening began to take a brutal toll. Severe, full-body cramps seized his legs, back, and arms. By the 40th over, he was physically unable to run or even move his feet. He collapsed onto the pitch multiple times, writhing in agony as physiotherapists scrambled onto the field. Adam Zampa stood anxiously by the boundary ropes, fully padded up and ready to sub in.
But Maxwell refused to leave the crease.
Relying entirely on hand-eye coordination, brute core strength, and sheer defiance, he essentially batted on one leg. Unable to take singles, the strategy became incredibly simple: hit boundaries or nothing. He reverse-paddled, swept, and launched the ball into the stands with zero footwork, defying every fundamental law of batting mechanics.
At the other end, Cummins played the ultimate supporting role, scoring a stoic 12 runs off 68 balls, simply surviving to give Maxwell the strike. The climax arrived in the 47th over when Maxwell launched Mujeeb Ur Rahman for his tenth six, sealing the victory and bringing up his double century—an unbeaten 201 off just 128 balls.
It was the first double century by a non-opener in ODI history, the highest individual score in a World Cup chase, and the innings that secured Australia's path to eventual tournament glory. For fans who witnessed it, Maxwell's 201* wasn't just a cricket knock; it was a testament to the absolute limits of human endurance. It remains, without question, the greatest One Day International innings ever played.