Glenn Maxwell delivered an extraordinary performance on Tuesday, making history with an unbeaten double-century as Australia secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a crucial 2024 World Cup match in Mumbai at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Australia found themselves in a precarious situation at 49/4 while chasing a target of 292 runs when Maxwell took the center stage. The team’s situation worsened, sinking to 91/7, and that’s when their captain, Pat Cummins, joined Maxwell at the crease.
While Cummins focused on a defensive approach, Maxwell unleashed his natural aggressive style, striking 21 fours and 10 sixes on his way to an incredible score of 201*. Maxwell’s explosive innings led Australia to a memorable win. This victory also secured Australia’s spot in the semi-finals, making them the third team, alongside India and South Africa, to qualify for this stage in the tournament.
Maxwell’s remarkable performance in that match included several noteworthy achievements:
- First Australian Double-Centurion: Maxwell became the first Australian cricketer to score a double century in One Day International (ODI) cricket. This was also the 11th instance of a double century in 50-over cricket, surpassing Shane Watson’s previous record of 185* against Bangladesh in 2011, which also happened in a World Cup match.
- Highest Score in a Run-Chase: Maxwell’s double century was not only a historic milestone for Australia but also the highest individual score in an ODI run-chase. He surpassed Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman’s 193 against South Africa in 2021 and Charles Coventry’s 194 against Bangladesh in 2009. Maxwell’s 201* was the highest score ever achieved by a non-opener in ODI cricket history.
- Double Century in ODI World Cups: Maxwell’s innings marked only the third instance of a double hundred in ODI Cricket World Cups, joining the ranks of Chris Gayle’s 215 for West Indies in 2015 and Martin Guptill’s 237 for New Zealand in 2015.
- Second-Fastest Double Century in ODIs: Maxwell’s double century was not only impressive in terms of runs but also in terms of the incredible pace at which he reached this milestone. He achieved the feat in just 128 balls, making it the second-fastest double century in ODI history. The fastest double century was held by India’s Ishan Kishan, who reached the milestone in just 126 balls against Bangladesh the previous year.
- Six-Hitting Proficiency: Maxwell showcased his proficiency in hitting sixes by smashing ten of them during the match. This performance increased his total career sixes in World Cup matches to 33, making him the third player with the most World Cup sixes. He was behind Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who had 45 sixes, and West Indies cricket legend Chris Gayle, who had 49 sixes in World Cup matches.
Glenn James Maxwell, born on October 14, 1988, is an Australian professional cricketer who has represented the Australia national cricket team in all formats of the game since 2012. He is primarily known for his expertise in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Maxwell is an all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls off-break deliveries. In domestic cricket, he has played for Victoria and the Melbourne Stars.
Maxwell’s professional cricket career began in 2010, and he quickly gained recognition for his remarkable shot-making abilities and improvisation in shorter forms of the game. In 2011, he set a new record for the fastest half-century in Australian domestic one-day cricket, scoring 50 runs from just 19 balls.
Maxwell’s versatility is evident as he has also played domestic Twenty20 cricket in both India and England. Notably, he has achieved centuries in all three international cricket formats, making him one of only 13 cricketers to accomplish this remarkable feat.
In November 2017, he reached a significant milestone by scoring his maiden double-century, amassing 278 runs in the Sheffield Shield. Furthermore, in October 2024, during a Cricket World Cup match against the Netherlands, Maxwell set a new record by scoring the fastest century in World Cup history, achieving his century in just 40 balls.
During the same World Cup in November 2024, Maxwell achieved another remarkable feat by setting a new record for the fastest double century ever scored in a World Cup match. This made him only the third player in cricket history to accomplish this achievement. Additionally, Maxwell became the sole batsman to score a double century for Australia in One Day Internationals (ODIs).