ODI Cricket World Cup: Hits and misses as Glenn Maxwell hits mindblowing double ton

Glenn Maxwell was incredible as the bat dominated in Mumbai.

Here are our hits and misses after Australia escaped defeat against Afghanistan.

HITS

1. Bull buzz

David Warner is a polarising figure in Australian cricket, but the love for the Aussie firebrand was evident in Mumbai. India has fallen in love with his incredible IPL exploits over time and were stoked to see him interact with the crowd. Warner played along with various thankful gestures and small dance moves. One woman in the crowd even took time out from watching the match to hand-draw a portrait of the Aussie. The spirit of the game is well-alive among the fans.

2. Awesome Zadran

Afghanistan had never had a World Cup centurion until Ibrahim Zadran. The 21-year-old showed experience beyond his years as he carried the bat for an unbeaten 129. He played everyone perfectly, never looking for more than he could take from a single ball. His use of the gaps proved hard to stop, and Australia could not find a way to prise him out. He was a touch slow getting to his century but made up for it with some savage blows in the last three overs.

3. Maxwell insanity

Amid Australia’s horror collapse, Glenn Maxwell was simply super human! As wickets tumbled around him, he took the long handle to Afghanistan’s impressive spin attack. He admittedly rode his luck as Afghanistan gifted him several chances, including dropping a dolly at fine leg. However, he showed good decision-making after biding his time and cleared the rope with ease anytime he wanted to after reaching his third World Cup half century. As his body began to cramp he still found a way to strike boundaries that beggared belief. He ended on 201 not out.

MISSES

1. Death at the death

Australia were well in control of Afghanistan for most of their bowling innings. But they lost their way at the end. They showed signs of fraying under pressure as they did in the first two matches. Since those opening defeats, Australia have been cool, calm and collected no matter what has come their way. Against Afghanistan, Mitchell Starc lost his way, producing full toss and balls that were too easy to put to the fence. Adam Zampa only grabbed one wicket, with the Aussies struggling to find other avenues to a breakthrough. It’s a nervous time for them to be showing those signs, with the semifinals just a week away.

2. Top order debacle

When Australia have a collapse, they do it style! Travis Head went second ball, David Warner was bowled playing a horror shot, and Josh Inglis guided his first ball straight to second slip. Mitch Marsh, on return, was also captured lbw, but at least he added a quick 24. The Aussie top order just could not content themselves to dig in against Afghanistan as they hooped the ball through the humid air. A lot of credit must go to Afghanistan for executing their plan with incredible accuracy, but Australia need to check themselves ahead of the semifinals.

3. If you are unsure, just review!!

Afghanistan could do nothing wrong as Australia fell apart, but it was the opposite for the Aussies. Even when they weren’t out, they walked off. Mitchell Starc appeared to have been dismissed caught behind, with the wicketkeeper taking a splendid one-handed catch after bobbling the ball. The left-arm quick was unsure if he had hit the ball and, after a discussion with Glenn Maxwell at the non-striker’s end, decided not to review. If he had, he would have realised the ball hit his off stump, not the bat.