6 records that Glenn Maxwell broke during his unbelievable 201* vs Afghanistan at 2023 ODI World Cup
The Wankhede Stadium witnessed one of the greatest ever ODI knocks as Glenn Maxwell snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Australia against Afghanistan in Match 39 of the ongoing ICC men's ODI World Cup 2023.
Defending 292, the Afghani bowlers put the Aussie batters under the pump, reducing them to 91/7 in 18.3 overs. At that point it seemed that there was no way Australia could avoid a huge upset loss.
But Maxwell had other plans. The 'Big Show' had no choice but to go berserk, which he did at full tilt. And it became clear it was his day when Mujeeb Ur Rahman dropped a dolly at short fine when he was batting at 33.
A LBW review decision also went his way, and there was no looking back for Maxwell after the early jitters. The middle-order dasher went from scoring 27 off his first 36 balls to 174 more runs in just 92 more deliveries.
He thrashed everything full, and forced the Afghani bowlers to err in their line and length. The right-hander hammered 21 fours and ten sixes to single-handedly guide Australia to a famous win.
Despite battling serious cramps and a back spasm - he had to hobble for singles in the later part of his innings - Maxwell remained dauntless. He fought his way through the pain to script an unthinkable run-chase.
Pat Cummins did his bit too, staying in the middle unmoved. The skipper remained unbeaten on 12 off 68 balls.
Maxwell was on 179 when Australia needed exactly 21 runs to complete their run-chase, with four overs still remaining. The 47th over, bowled by Mujeeb, saw Maxwell clobber three sixes and a four to not only shepherd his team into the semifinals but also make him the first-ever Australian to complete a double century in an ODI game.
Needless to say, it was a record-breaking night courtesy the 'Glenn Maxwell' show. Here are six of the most significant records the Australian batter broke en route to his unbeaten 201.
#6 Most runs against spinners in an ODI innings
![Glenn Maxwell and Mujeeb Ur Rahman [Getty Images]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/11/15803-16993804818139-1920.jpg?w=500)
A few years ago, teams used to attack Glenn Maxwell with wicket-taking spinners, in a bid to disrupt his rhythm. However, after developing mastery over some unorthodox shots, Maxwell has turned into one of the most powerful strikers against the slower bowlers.
On Tuesday, Maxwell became the player with the most runs against spinners in an ODI innings. While he scored 52 runs against the quicks, 149 runs off his willow came against spinners.
His 149 runs helped him surpass Sean Williams on the list. Williams had scored 132 off his 174 against spinners, in a ICC 2023 World Cup qualifier match against the USA earlier this year.
[Stat credit: @kaustats]
#5 Highest ODI score while batting at No. 6 or below
Maxwell came in to bat at No. 6, when Australia were 49/4 inside the powerplay. His knock of 201* is now the highest individual score by any batter while batting at No. 6 or below in ODI cricket.
Another historic knock, Kapil Dev's 175 against Zimbabwe at the 1983 World Cup, is now second on the list.
#4 Highest partnership for 7th wicket or lower in ODI history
![Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell for Australia [Getty Images]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/11/a2cea-16993812664541-1920.jpg)
Maxwell and Cummins added 202* runs for the eighth wicket against Afghanistan. While Maxwell did the bulk of run-scoring, the role that Cummins played was also worth its weight in gold.
Their 202*-run stand is now the highest for any seventh-wicket or lower partnership in one-day internationals. The duo overtook the 177-run stand put up by Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid in an ODI against New Zealand in Birmingham in 2015.
#3 Highest ODI score for Australia
After a total of 994 ODIs, Australia now finally have their first double centurion.
The record five-time World Cup champions have produced some remarkable batting talents over the decades. However, Maxwell's 201* is the first double century - and highest individual score - for the Aussies in ODI cricket.
The previous highest was by Shane Watson, when he scored 185* against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2011.
#2 First ODI double century by a non-opener
While there had been 10 ODI individual double hundreds prior to the Australia vs. Afghanistan clash, none of them came from a non-opening batter.
Starting with Sachin Tendulkar (200* vs SA) and going up to Shubman Gill (208 vs NZ), the list was packed with opening batters.
Maxwell has now become the first-ever non-opener to hit a double century in an ODI innings. As mentioned earlier, he batted at No. 6.
#1 First ODI double century while chasing
![The freak show by Glenn Maxwell [Getty Images]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/11/5732a-16993826223666-1920.jpg)
Another commonality between the previous double hundreds was that all came while batting first. Batting first allows a batter to hit more freely. By contrast, it is relatively tougher to pile up huge runs amid the scoreboard pressure while batting second.
Maxwell showed nerves of steel against Afghanistan as he brought his side home while chasing 292 in Mumbai. His 201* is now the first-ever double ton while chasing in One-Day International history.