Even though he was hurt, Glenn Maxwell hit an amazing 200 against Afghanistan and led Australia to the World Cup semifinals.
When Maxwell got to the crease, Australia was 49-4 and facing a hat-trick ball. Soon after, they fell to 91-7 and were after 292 runs in Mumbai.
He was dropped twice and had a hard time with a back injury and cramps, but he played an amazing game and made it to 201 not out, often on one leg after the hundred.
They scored 202 runs together and Australia won with 19 balls to spare.
After making 291–5, with Ibrahim Zadran getting their first World Cup hundred, Afghanistan looked like they would join Australia in the top four after a great start in the field. However, Maxwell played one of the greatest innings of all time, stopping them in their tracks.
He had already scored the fastest century in the tournament earlier in the tournament against the Netherlands. He was back with Australia for this game after missing Saturday’s win over England because he hit his head when he fell off the back of a golf buggy.
People will remember that inning for its amazing reverse sweeps for six, flicks, and whips over the leg side on one leg. It was also a great display of grit and drive.
He is the first Australian to score 200 runs in a one-day international. His teammates were so excited they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
In the history of men’s ODIs, this is the 11th double ton. It was also the first time that a player who wasn’t the opener scored at least 100 runs.
Australia beat South Africa to make it to the semi-finals. This is their sixth straight win.
