Miracle Maxwell: The Record-Breaking Sensation of the ODI World Cup

Glenn Maxwell saves another day for Australia and also paves the way to the semifinal. Cricket World Cup 2023 has seen Maxwell at his best form. Maxwell stands against the Afghanistan bowlers when all other batters fail to stand a chance. He comes and makes a partnership with Cummins, and then the rest becomes history. Let’s take a look at his miraculous innings and the records he shattered.

He became the first batter to score a double-century for Australia in men’s One Day Internationals (ODIs). His monumental score of 201* rewrote the record books, surpassing the previous highest individual score for Australia held by Shane Watson, who had scored an unbeaten 185* against Bangladesh in 2011. Maxwell’s remarkable innings were a masterclass in controlled aggression and showcased his prowess as a versatile cricketer.

But Maxwell’s record-breaking innings didn’t stop there. He also became the first batter in ODI history to score a double-century during a chase. The previous highest individual score in an ODI chase was 193, achieved by Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan against South Africa in 2021. Maxwell’s ability to rise to the occasion and guide his team to victory in a high-pressure chase demonstrated his exceptional mental fortitude and match-winning capabilities.

Another astounding aspect of Maxwell’s double-century was his batting position. He became the first player to score an ODI double-ton while batting at No. 3 or lower. Remarkably, no player before Maxwell had managed to score a double-century while batting outside of the top four even in List A cricket. This achievement highlights Maxwell’s adaptability and ability to thrive in various batting positions.

Maxwell’s incredible innings also solidified his place in the elite group of batters who have scored double centuries in men’s ODI World Cup matches. He joined the likes of Chris Gayle and Martin Guptill, who had achieved this feat in the 2015 World Cup. Gayle’s 219 against Zimbabwe and Guptill’s unbeaten 237* against the West Indies left a lasting mark on cricket history, and now Maxwell’s name stands proudly alongside theirs.

In addition to his personal milestones, Maxwell and his partner in crime, Pat Cummins, established a new record for the highest partnership for the seventh wicket or lower in men’s ODIs. Their remarkable 202* run partnership surpassed the previous record of 177 runs held by Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid for the seventh wicket against New Zealand in 2015. This partnership was a testament to the importance of team spirit and resilience in the game of cricket.

Maxwell’s double-century was not only remarkable in terms of runs scored but also in terms of the time it took to achieve this milestone. He reached his double century in just 128 balls, making it the second-fastest ODI double century in history, only behind Ishan Kishan’s 126-ball effort against Bangladesh in the previous year. Maxwell’s ability to combine speed with power is what makes him one of the most exciting cricketers to watch.