Australia progressed to the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup as Glenn Maxwell struck a double century against Afghanistan, marking one of one-day international cricket’s most incredible innings.
Australia were not just given a run for their money, they were completely outplayed from the onset, with Ibrahim Zadran making history for Afghanistan in the first innings.
The 21-year-old became the first ever Afghan to score a century at the World Cup as he guided his side to a total of 291/5 in their 50 overs.
In response Australia collapsed. Mitchell Marsh’s 24 was the highest score for the top order as the top five fell for 69 runs.
At 91/7 it looked all but over, with Rashid Khan’s 2/44 leaving Afghanistan in full control. But on the big stage stepped the Big Show, Glenn Maxwell.
With the support of his captain Pat Cummins (12 off 68) at the other end, Maxwell hit 21 fours and 10 sixes as his unbeaten 201 off 128 got Australia over the line.
It was the highest ever individual score while chasing in ODI history as Maxwell also became the first Aussie to hit a double hundred in ODIs.
The result sends Australia through to the knockout stages while Afghanistan still require one win to stand any chance of a fourth place finish.
And though all eyes will be on them in their final league game on Friday, their opponents South Africa will be the subject of many semi-final conversations, too.
The Proteas’ inability to chase versus their unbeatable charisma when batting first is something that is sure to make the cricketing world wonder whether or not they have what it takes to lift the gold.
A win in the last four against the Aussies will leave open the prospect of facing India in the final. But before that possibility, the league stage culminates with the final six matches of action.
England face the Netherlands on Wednesday before New Zealand take on Sri Lanka, with a 2025 Champions Trophy spot up for grabs for all the teams finishing in the top eight places in the table.
Pictured above: Glenn Maxwell.
Image source: @vvslaxman281
