New Delhi. Australia’s star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell created history by scoring a double century in the World Cup. Maxwell led his team to a thrilling victory by playing an unbeaten inning of 201 runs in the 39th match of Cricket World Cup 2023 against Afghanistan. This is the best innings of his ODI career. At one time it seemed that the Afghanistan team would easily win this match. But this did not happen, Maxwell’s unbeaten inning of 202 runs dashed his hopes. After this brilliant performance, he has also broken Kapil Dev’s record.
Maxwell came to bat at number six in this match. Maxwell also got 2-3 lives during his innings. But luck favored him. Maxwell scored the highest score in ODI history while batting at or after the sixth position. Before this, only Kapil Dev has been such a player. Who has scored 175 runs in the World Cup while batting at number six. He scored 175 runs in 138 balls against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup.
Before Maxwell, all the double centuries scored in ODI cricket were scored by openers. Chris Gayle of West Indies scored a double century against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup. Apart from Gayle, New Zealand’s Martin Guptill has achieved the feat of scoring a double century against West Indies. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sachin Tendulkar, Ishan Kishan and Virender Sehwag have done this for Team India.
Chasing the target of 292 runs, Australia scored 293 runs for 7 wickets in 46.5 overs. Maxwell scored unbeaten 201 runs in 128 balls which included 21 fours and 10 sixes. Pat Cummins scored 12 not out off 68 balls. Maxwell was chosen ‘Player of the Match’ for his stormy innings. With this victory, Australia has made it to the semi-finals. It has become the third team to make it to this list.