‘It’s nice to inspire people… the body took time to recover’: Maxwell on his double ton against Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup

Kingstown (Saint Vincent),: Ahead of his team’s ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights clash against Afghanistan, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell opened with his stunning double century against the Asian side at the World Cup of the 50 over last year, stating that Although it is good that his knock inspired people, he doesn’t think about it too much because of the physical pain it caused him.

Australia will face Afghanistan in their ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights clash at Kingstown on Sunday. Australia top Super Eights Group 1 with victory over Bangladesh, while Afghanistan sit third, having lost their only match against India.

The last clash between these two teams in an ICC tournament, during the 50-over World Cup in India last year, was one of its kind. In the match held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Afghanistan opted to bat first and a century from Ibrahim Zadran took them to 291/5 in their 50 overs.

During their chase, Australia lost quick wickets and looked down at 91/7, but Maxwell and skipper Pat Cummins then put together a two-century partnership that showed why Australia is a team that has won several world championships.

Maxwell, battling back pain, cramps and heat, crushed the Afghan bowlers on one working leg and Cummins kept the other end steady. Maxwell ended the match with a six, finishing on 201* in 128 balls, with 21 fours and 10 sixes, finishing the game largely on his own with 19 balls remaining. This resilient knock from Maxwell was hailed by the cricketing fraternity and quickly placed among the greatest knocks ever seen in cricket.

Speaking to reporters before the match, Maxwell said: “They haven’t had much else to say over the last few months. I find a lot of people will come and the innings during the World Cup , which is nice. “It’s nice to have been able to reach and affect so many people and hopefully inspire people to want to play this game.”

“But I was able to park it and continue. Probably because it hurt so much – my body took so long to recover. I try not to think about it too much. Because that’s the first thing When I think about it, I associate it with pain,” he added.

On playing T20I cricket, Maxwell said he enjoys playing the format when it is difficult. He also revealed his 65-run partnership with skipper Mitchell Marsh against England in this World T20 Championship, after Australia were reduced to 74/2 with openers David Warner and Travis Head dismissed after an early start inflamed.

“I probably enjoy it when it’s a bit difficult. I think your skills can shine through on these more difficult wickets. It’s not as easy as crossing the line all the time. You have to be smart and quite adaptive to what’s in front of you. It was similar to the challenge of that England game where Mitch and I had to plan our way and prepare it for the back,” he explained. It was probably different in that the first few games went so well and got off to such a good start.”

“I think that type of hitter is very valuable in these conditions. The difference is sometimes between 110 and 135 points in some of these conditions. I feel like that’s where I can make the biggest impact “, he added.

Teams:

Australian Team: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Ashton Agar

Afghan team: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Karim Janat, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Ishaq, Nangeyalia Kharote.

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