Mumbai: The man of the moment Glenn Maxwell, whose unbeaten double ton - 201 - helped Australia beat Afghanistan by three wickets in a league stage fixture of the ICC Cricket World Cup, said that the belief was always there and it would have gone higher after the magnificent victory.
It was due to Maxwell that the Pat Cummins-led side not only registered a come-from-behind victory but also qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.
"It was hot while fielding today, I haven't done a lot of exercise in the heat, it got a hold on me today. I wanted to stay back and get some movement (on my legs)," Maxwell said at the post-match presentation.
When asked what was going through his mind when Australia was reeling at 91/7, Maxwell quipped, "Not too much, just stick to the batting plans as much as possible, for me, still be positive, still look to play my shots, that LBW, it was going just above (the stumps), probably that made me be more proactive."
"A hint of swing and nip (off the surface), as it happens here under lights, they bowled beautifully to exploit that. It would have been nice if it was a chanceless knock, but I had my chances, to make the most of it tonight was something I can be proud of. Amazing, after the first two games, people were quick to write us off. The belief was always there (as a team), after today, it would have gone a bit higher," Maxwell, who scored the second fastest ODI double hundred, added.
Former and current cricketers across the globe lauded Glenn Maxwell, who became the first non opener in ODIs, to notch up a double century.
They took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and praised the stroke-filled knock by the well-known all-rounder.
Former India stumper Kiran More said, "It is a mad mad world they said, I would say it is Mad Max’s world. Wow what a knock by #Maxwell, one of the best ever #Australia #AUSvAFG #AUSvsAFG #cricket #CWC23 (six)."
Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist termed it as the best ODI innings ever.
"Congratulations @Gmaxi_32 Clearly the best ODI innings ever. Has always been the most exciting player in the world to watch in my opinion," Gilchrist said.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag said that Glenn Maxwell was "a man possessed" and his was one of the all time great ODI innings.
"Saw this coming. 200 in a run-chase, One of the all time great one day innings by Maxwell. @Gmaxi_32 was a man possessed and great support by @patcummins30. An innings to remember for a long long time . #AUSvsAFG (sic)," said Sehwag, who was part of India's ODI World Cup winning team in 2011.
Australia batting great and former skipper Ricky Ponting was lost for words when asked to describe the innings on ICC show Digital Daily.
"It is hard to put into words. Tonight (Tuesday night) is something we are going to be talking about for a very long time. What an innings like that can do around a team, is that it can create unbelievable belief that you can win from anywhere," Ponting said.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh described Maxwell's blitzkrieg as an innings of a lifetime.
"Innings of a lifetime!! Hats off @Gmaxi_32 #AFGvsAUS (sic)," said Yuvraj, a former left handed batter.
Legendary leg spinner Anil Kumble said, "Congratulations to Team Australia on an extraordinary victory! Unbelievable innings from @Gmaxi_32! (sic)."
Current England all-rounder Ben Stokes was in awe of the innings played under lights by Glenn Maxwell.
"My goodness Maxi 😮😮😮," wrote Stokes in his X post.
Former India batter VVS Laxman, who is the head of the Bengaluru-based National Cricket Academy (NCA) said that Maxwell's innings was an example of the fact that one should never give up.
"One of the greatest individual performances on a cricket field. One of the greatest innings one would ever see. A great lesson to Never Give Up. Take a bow Glenn Maxwell . That was quite incredible #AUSvsAFG (sic)," said Laxman in his post.
Former India player and team manager Lalchand Rajput said that Glenn Maxwell single handedly won the game for his side.
"One of the best one day innings, single handedly won the game with an unbeaten double hundred.@Gmaxi_32 the demolition man. well played Afghanistan u really pushed the aussies to the wall, be proud of that. @ACBofficials, you showed the world what u r capable of. (sic)," said Rajput.
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