Maxwell the golfer was to the fore in incredible Wankhede chase

By Rahul Banerji

For the last few weeks, I have been content to follow the cricket on television, newspapers and the internet without ever feeling the need to have a say on the proceedings.

That has been left to those who follow the game on a day-to-day basis which I no longer do, but there comes the odd occasion that challenges the decision to merely be a fan – and Glenn Maxwell’s tour de force was one such.

I mean, it was a ridiculous outcome, and a match Australia had no business winning.

Down four wickets with just 49 on the board and then 91 for seven is a situation even the most die-hard Aussie fan would have entertained thoughts of finding a bar and a pint.

Chasing a sizeable 291 posted by the doughty Afghans, for many the fairytale team of the tournament, Australia were down and out. And had any one of the two chances Maxwell offered to the fielders been taken, it would have been curtains.

Or even the third umpire referral that reprieved the batsman who was halfway back to the pavilion having scored 27 when the replay negated a close leg before wicket decision.

Extraordinary display

Instead, the world was treated to an extraordinary display of static batsmanship, which suggested as former West Indies fast bowler and now commentator Ian Bishop would also note, that “footwork is overrated.”

The numbers say it all – a 202-run eighth wicket partnership in which Maxwell’s captain Pat Cummins contributed 12 runs; the first ODI double-century by an Australian, the first 200-plus in a chase, the first 200-plus by a non-opener.

And then look at the individual stats. Ten fours and three sixes in the first hundred from 76 deliveries. The second had 11 fours and seven sixes from 54 balls. High intensity hitting with cramps hobbling his every move.

It forced Maxwell to switch to another skill, utilizing his abilities as a golfer. With movement all but ruled out, the Victorian turned to his strengths derived from smashing static little white balls miles down a fairway.

Maxwell is an accomplished golfer, as many cricketers are, and is reputed to possess a drive that often crosses the 400-yard mark. That is serious distance, usually reached by the best-equipped professionals in the men’s game.

Core strength

The Wankhede innings was also an example of what a still head and immense core strength can achieve.

Maxwell used a strong and stable base to launch shots all around the wicket and adapted his immobility to good effect, exhibiting wonderful hand-eye coordination that had the ball racing for – and over the fences time and again.

Towards the end, Maxwell had even started to hobble the odd single and as the cramps eased, the strokes became still more ferocious, and a 6, 6, 4, and 6 sequence of shots not only sealed the win, but also brought up his double-hundred.

All this would still not have been possible without his unblinking determination as well.

Thrice Maxwell was on his back getting treatment and climbed back into battle each time. And after it was over, he walked off the field and into the changing room high up in the Wankhede grandstand unaided.

“Just ridiculous,” his captain would say later. “It’s got to be the greatest ODI innings that has ever happened.”

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