Mumbai, Nov 8: Australia captain Pat Cummins, at the other end for most part of the Glenn Maxwell special on Tuesday night at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, reckoned it was the greatest ODI innings that he had ever seen. “I think that’s the greatest ODI innings that I’ve ever seen, and probably the greatest ODI innings ever. It was one of those days where you go: I was there at the stadium when Glenn Maxwell did that,” Cummins told reporters after Australia’s stunning three-wicket victory against Afghanistan.It’s just a one-man show. It’s just like, it looks so easy, Cummins said.
“He still can’t move and still manages to hit a six (over) the third man with reverse – he’s a freak, he hits into different areas, again, he makes it look so easy. And when you’re up against someone like that as a bowler, you just, you don’t have many options.”
Tuesday’s win also secured Australia a semi-final spot in the World Cup, a tournament the team have won five times.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan captain, said: Very disappointed. Cricket is a funny game, it was unbelievable for us. We were in the game, our bowlers started very well and the dropped chances hurt us. After that, Maxwell doesn’t stop, he played every kind of shot and I can give credit to him. I think the dropped catches were the key, after that Maxwell played really well. Our bowlers tried their best but he didn’t give any chance to us. Proud of the team, but we will be disappointed tonight. We didn’t think it would be this way, part of the game. This is cricket. We will try to come back strong against South Africa. He (Ibrahim Zadran) must be proud of himself, I am also proud that he is the first Afghan with a WC hundred.
Glenn Maxwell, Player of the Match, said: It was hot while fielding today, I haven’t done a lot of exercise in the heat, it got a hold on me today. I wanted to stay back and get some movement (on my legs). Not too much (when asked about plans at 92/7), just stick to the batting plans as much as possible, for me, still be positive, still look to play my shots, that LBW, it was going just above (the stumps), probably that made me be more proactive. A hint of swing and nip (off the surface), as it happens here under lights, they bowled beautifully to exploit that. It would have been nice if it was a chanceless knock, but I had my chances, to make the most of it tonight was something I can be proud of. Amazing, after the first two games, people were quick to write us off. The belief was always there (as a team), after today, it would have gone a bit higher.