Glenn Maxwell's splendid innings for Australia against Afghanistan instantly embedded themselves into cricketing folklore, elevating the batter's already-embellished status within the sporting community, and deeping the respect his peers have for him even further. Maxwell, battling and bruising, took Australia over the finish line with an unbeaten 201 off 128 balls, despite taking over at the crease amid a batting crisis that had left the record ICC Cricket World Cup winners 91/7. (As It Happened | Report | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
Maxwell stood tall, barely moving toward the end due to a couple of serious cramps that had left the Australian cricket in serious distress, but carved the field with a beautiful selection of shots that left the Afghanistan bowlers perplexed and the viewers mesmerized.
To analyze the Australian's outstanding display, Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar took to social media, delivering a breakdown of the batter's technique and mental fortitude amid a period of adversity.
"Life and cricket have many parallels. Sometimes, like a spring, what pulls you back is also what propels you forward," Wrote Tendulkar on X.
"During yesterday’s game, [Glenn Maxwell]’s cramps constrained his footwork. He had to stay put at the crease, but that enabled him to have a steady head, watch the ball closely and let his hand-eye coordination do the work, backed by exceptional bat-speed. Different formats of the game, and stages of the game require different footwork. And sometimes, no footwork becomes great footwork too."
Maxwell's unbeaten double-ton took Australia over the threshold, making them the third team to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-finals. Afghanistan, meanwhile, remained in the hunt for their first knockout berth, and must now contend with New Zealand and Pakistan for the same.
