Cricket world in awe of Maxwell as Indian legend Tendulkar lauds stunning knock as the best he’s ever seen

Australia World

Pat Cummins and Indian great Sachin Tendulkar have led the tributes following Glenn Maxwell’s incredible World Cup double century in Australia’s win over Afghanistan.

Maxwell, barely able to walk as he hobbled along with a back issue and terrible cramping at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, blitzed an unbeaten 201 from just 128 deliveries on effectively one leg.

He dragged Australia from 7-91 past Afghanistan’s total of 5-291 to seal a three-wicket victory, which saw Australia move through to a semifinal clash with South Africa.

“I think that’s the greatest ODI innings,” said Australia captain Cummins, who contributed an unbeaten 12 at the other end in their unbroken stand of 202 for the eighth wicket.

“It’s the best I’ve ever seen, probably the greatest ODI innings ever.

Glenn Maxwell lies on the ground in pain during his innings as an umpire offers assistance.

Maxwell (right) was in agony throughout his unbeaten innings.(Getty Images: Alex Davidson)

“We’re just chatting about it, all the players, and we’ve decided it’s one of those days where you just go, ‘I was there in the stadium the day Glenn Maxwell chased down that total by himself’.

“It’s just a one-man show. I’m up the other end and don’t see any gaps in the field, don’t see where I’m going to score a boundary and yet it seems like every time he sees that, it still just runs away for four. It looks so easy.

“He still can’t move, and yet still manages to hit a six over the third man with a reverse. He’s a freak.”

Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins walk off the field together after Australia's win over Afghanistan at the Cricket World Cup.

Maxwell (left) and Pat Cummins were all smiles after escaping with the three-wicket win in Mumbai.(Getty Images: Alex Davidson)

Tendulkar took to social media to praise Maxwell following his astonishing display.

“From Max pressure to Max performance! This has been the best ODI knock I’ve seen in my life,” Tendulkar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Loading Twitter content

Maxwell finished the job with the winning six — his 10th of the innings to go with 21 fours — and like so many of the big hits, had to pull it off magically with minimal foot movement because his cramping was so debilitating.

“Maxi was out of this world. I couldn’t even get on strike,” Cummins said.

“You just let him do his thing when he’s doing that. How am I going to say anything to someone who’s like that?

“Even from 200 behind, he was still mapping a way we could win the game. I was just trying to survive.”

Still, it was only with about 20 minutes left that Cummins felt Australia could really pull off the miracle, even believing that Maxwell might have to be “stretchered off” with his cramping woes.

Glenn Maxwell of Australia reacts during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Maxwell needed treatment throughout his innings.(Getty: Alex Davidson)

“His back was cramping pretty early on, then just hamstrings, calves. For one over he said his toe was gone,” Cummins said.

“I kind of signalled to Zamps (next batter Adam Zampa) to get down here because he literally couldn’t move and then the physio kind of convinced Maxi that if he came off, it might be worse off.”

Maxwell’s inspirational performance came after he was ruled out of Australia’s previous match against England following a golf-cart accident that left him concussed.

Cummins said he was confident Maxwell would recover in time for Australia’s semifinal against the Proteas.

“Plenty of hydration, he’ll be in the ice bath I’m sure, but it will be OK,” Cummins said.

AAP/ABC