Glenn Maxwell’s Record-Breaking Century at Men’s ODI World Cup

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell made cricket history by scoring the quickest century in the men’s ODI World Cup, showcasing his incredible skill. His breathtaking hundred, achieved in just 40 balls, sent shockwaves through the cricketing world during a league match against the Netherlands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

This remarkable feat shattered the previous record held by South Africa’s Aiden Markram, who reached a century in 49 deliveries against Sri Lanka at the same venue and, coincidentally, the same pitch on October 7.

Maxwell’s remarkable 40-ball century, ultimately amassing 106 runs off 44 deliveries, included a flurry of nine fours and eight sixes. This places his century as the fourth fastest in men’s ODI cricket. He swiftly reached his half-century in just 27 balls and astonishingly required a mere 13 more to reach the record-breaking century, leaving the Netherlands’ bowling attack in awe.

In a mid-inning chat with broadcasters, Maxwell credited his success to his ability to read the bowlers, emphasizing the need for lightning-fast hands against quick bowlers. He expressed his intention to clear the infield with precision, acknowledging the Netherlands’ efforts in saving certain boundaries.

Maxwell’s extraordinary performance, complemented by David Warner’s sixth ODI World Cup century, catapulted Australia to a commanding total of 399-6 in 50 overs, marking their second-highest score in the tournament’s history. Unfortunately, for the Netherlands, their fast-bowling all-rounder, Bas de Leede, now holds the record for the most expensive ODI spell in history. He conceded 115 runs in ten overs, surpassing the previous record of 113 runs held by Mick Lewis and Adam Zampa.

 

In the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, the clash of big scores and the thrilling climax it offers is a defining feature. But the formula turned into a daunting challenge when it extended over to a possible 100 overs.

England’s recent performance in Mumbai painted a gloomy picture. They faced difficulties in batting, bowling, fielding, and strategic thinking, resulting in a crushing 229-run defeat. The disappointment was palpable, devoid of the usual glee that follows an English debacle.

We should not blame the originators of the game or its modern reinventors, driven by the bromantic spiritual movement known as Bazball. They put their all into meltdown, even contemplating whether knowing the toss conditions (hot and humid) would have influenced their choice to bat first.

Our own high expectations played a significant role. We assumed the ODI World Cup would deliver riveting matches and even speculated that the match at Wankhede, played before a near full-house crowd, would be one for the ages. However, the result was a hopelessly one-sided contest that could almost be classified as propaganda.

South Africa’s total of 399 set the stage for this game, but they were not alone in producing substantial scores. Other matches in the competition featured scores of 428 in Delhi, 311 in Lucknow, 367 in Bengaluru, 364 in Dharamsala, and Pakistan chasing down Sri Lanka’s 344 in Hyderabad. These are just a few examples of the ten 300-plus totals in 21 matches.

The scoring rate in the 2023 World Cup is unprecedented, with a galloping 5.84 runs per over. The 266 sixes hit so far surpass the totals of 2011 and equal that of 2003. It’s on track to exceed the record 463 sixes from 2015.

While high scoring and big hitting are exciting, close finishes have been noticeably absent. Even a Pakistani chase in Hyderabad ended with ten balls to spare and five wickets in hand. In the tournament’s first 20 matches, teams batting first won with an average margin of 110 runs, while second-batting teams secured victories with about seven wickets and ten overs to spare. The challenge of one-day cricket lies in trying to recreate the T20 excitement over 100 overs. This endeavor has fallen short, as the odds of achieving thrilling climaxes with such high totals are slim. Teams well-versed in T20, make short work of these targets, as demonstrated by India against Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

To rekindle the fading allure of one-day cricket, one should embrace what sets it apart: a day-long compressed Test cricket experience. Achieving this means leveling the playing field and ensuring fair conditions, especially in the face of dew, heat, long tails, and oversized bats.

One of the most riveting contests of this World Cup was the opener between India and Australia in Chennai. The drama extended beyond India’s 2 for 3 score in the chase of 200. The real tension unfolded in the first innings, with Australian batsmen grappling with a challenging turner, creating an atmosphere where something had to give, and it was the Australian batting lineup that did.

The charm of ODI cricket lies in the tension it offers, rather than just tall scores. The two greatest one-day matches of all time, the tied semi-final of 1999 and the tied final of 2019, had scores of 213 and 241. Unfortunately, the 2019 final was marred by administrators imposing T20-style deciders, like a super-over and a boundary countback.

This column deeply appreciates contemporary power-hitting. For instance, at Wankhede, South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen put on a remarkable display with 143 runs in the final ten overs, rivaling even T20 standards. The physical toll, symbolized by Klaasen’s cramping, resembled the endurance challenges of Test cricket. ODIs need not rely on extreme weather to stand out from T20. A pitch with some nuance can make the difference. The “average” rating given to the Chennai pitch in the Australian game by the ICC drew criticism for favouring spin. Rahul Dravid aptly questioned the need for anything else when T20 caters to those who wish to see fours and sixes, a sentiment echoed by a man known for his impeccable defensive skills.

Pakistan’s path to the current 50-over World Cup in India, spearheaded by Babar Azam, has been filled with unforeseen detours.

Pakistan has faced setbacks after a strong start, including a dramatic collapse against arch-rivals India. The team, poised at 155/2, struggled to breach the 200-run mark, resulting in a modest 192-run target for India.

Thanks to a brilliant half-century by Shreyas Iyer and an exceptional knock of 86 runs off 63 balls by Rohit Sharma, India emerged victorious in just 30.3 overs. However, this outcome stirred controversy, especially with Pakistan’s cricket director, Micky Arthur, criticizing the arrangements.

Arthur didn’t hold back, blaming the BCCI for the perceived lack of support for Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“To tell it straight, this didn’t seem like an ICC tournament tonight. It resembled a bilateral series or even a BCCI-centric event. I didn’t hear ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ much through the microphones tonight,” Arthur candidly stated.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding the perceived hostility from the crowd during this pivotal match.

In response, India’s 2011 World Cup-winner, S Sreesanth, launched a sharp critique of Pakistan’s response.

“Crowds will praise or criticize based on performance. As a team, you must be prepared for both. Mahi bhai always emphasizes focusing on the process because pressure is inevitable. If you can’t handle it, perhaps reconsider coming to India. In an interview with Sportskeeda, Sreesanth gave advice on how to play to win.

Currently, Pakistan holds fifth position in the ten-team points table and is scheduled to face Afghanistan in Chepauk, Chennai. While Pakistan enters as favorites, Afghanistan’s promising spin attack could lead to another upset in this marquee event. Afghanistan had previously stunned defending champions England, marking their only victory in the tournament so far.

Two notable alterations to the Indian cricket team’s composition aroused eyebrows as they prepared to play New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup 2023. Upon winning the coin toss, Captain Rohit Sharma disclosed that the upcoming World Cup match would mark Mohammed Shami’s World Cup debut and Suryakumar Yadav’s inaugural appearance in an ODI World Cup.

A rather unconventional decision by the Indian team management left cricket enthusiasts intrigued. Opting to bench Shardul Thakur due to Hardik Pandya’s injury, the team now lack a pace-bowling all-rounder. Instead, they headed to the pitch with just five bowling options. Given the formidable form displayed by New Zealand’s batters in the tournament, this strategic shift raised questions about its potential risks.

After winning the toss, Rohit Sharma shared:

“We’ll bowl first. No particular reason, but we were training here yesterday and noticed a bit of dew coming in. The pitch appears promising, and we are confident in our chasing abilities. It’s crucial to maintain our momentum, irrespective of past results. This is a place everyone wants to play at, with its beautiful weather and stunning stadium. Unfortunately, Hardik is unavailable, as is Shardul. We have Shami and Surya in the squad.”

Tom Latham, serving as New Zealand’s stand-in captain for the match, expressed his inclination to bowl first as well. He noted,

“We would have chosen to bowl first too. The surface looks good, and we anticipate dew later on. Our focus is on performing well regardless of the chosen strategy. We find ourselves in a new ground with unfamiliar conditions, so adapting quickly is our priority. Our lineup remains unchanged for today, featuring three seamers and two spinners.”

India Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (c)
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (w)
Suryakumar Yadav
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand Playing XI:

Devon Conway
Will Young
Rachin Ravindra
Daryl Mitchell
Tom Latham (w/c)
Glenn Phillips
Mark Chapman
Mitchell Santner
Matt Henry
Lockie Ferguson
Trent Boult

The Indian cricket squad has risen quickly in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, going undefeated in their first three games. They are presently in second place in the World Cup points standings, led by the energetic Rohit Sharma. The Indian squad are keen to take back top spot in the standings as they prepare to play Bangladesh in their fourth game.

Prior to their World Cup match, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha expressed his respect for the Indian players without holding back. He applauded India’s balanced approach and overall prowess, stating,

‘I think they’ve covered every area. They’ve got strike bowlers up front. As excellent as we have seen in the past, Bumrah is practically at the pinnacle of his abilities. They have skilled, knowledgeable spinners as they enter the middle overs. Additionally, they are hitting really well, particularly in the top order, and their lack of fear at this point in their game is frightening.”

Hathurusingha highlighted the vital ingredients in India’s World Cup success, emphasizing the enjoyment factor.

He stated: “Any team, including the Indian team, needs to enjoy the game in order to win. There appears to be a lot of love for them as they enjoy their home World Cup and cricket right now.”

Shakib al Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh, is recuperating from a niggle in his left quadriceps. While he had a productive net session, Hathurusingha stressed that Shakib would only take the field against India if he’s fully fit. We won’t take the chance if he isn’t prepared to play. If he’s ready, there’s a chance he’ll be playing tomorrow (Thursday),” Hathurusingha mentioned. The decision hinges on medical evaluations and the player’s readiness, as the coach explained,

“First, it is the medical staff who give us their opinion. They give the green or red light. They let us know where the player is located. Whether the coach and captain want the player or not is up to them. if he is desired in any or both fields.”

While Bangladesh have triumphed over India in three out of their last four ODI meetings, Hathurusingha stressed that these previous results won’t influence their World Cup league stage encounter. World Cup matches are an entirely different ballgame, and Bangladesh must deliver their best performance to challenge the in-form Indian team. Hathurusingha expressed,

‘We’re hoping to have a complete performance. The World Cup’s top squad, India, hasn’t played well lately, but if we play to our potential, it will work in our favour. We need to start well.”

On October 19, the Indian cricket team took advantage of the chance to refuel as they landed in Pune for their fourth World Cup 2023 encounter against Bangladesh.
When they arrived in Pune on a Sunday afternoon, they were greeted with such excitement that they went directly to their hotel rooms.The Nets will be held for Tuesday evening, and there won’t be any practice on Monday, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). After a remarkable performance against Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, witnessed by the largest World Cup crowd, the team deserved a well-earned day off. However, head coach Rahul Dravid remained steadfast in his duties, working while the rest of the team enjoyed their break.

The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune has a history that suggests it could be a run-scoring paradise. In 14 ODI innings held at this venue, the 300-run mark has been breached on 8 occasions. The most recent ODI featured both India and England amassing over 300 runs, with India emerging victorious by a margin of 7 runs.

Key Indian batsmen, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, are eagerly anticipating a similar pitch on Thursday to continue their impressive run-scoring form. Rohit Sharma, in particular, has been on a mission to hit sixes in this tournament, accumulating an impressive tally of 11 sixes in just three innings.

The kind of soil utilized, however, should be taken into account as it has a big impact on how the field behaves. While black dirt tends to favor high-scoring confrontations, red soil is more likely to cause the ball to grip and spin. India and Bangladesh have started the tournaments with rather different results.
As of this writing, India leads the points table after winning all three of their matches against Australia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan with decisive victories. On the other hand, Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan to begin the match but lost to England and New Zealand.

At the ICC World Cup 2023 in Lucknow, Australia defeated Sri Lanka, which was much-needed for them after two losses in a row. However, the lingering issue of umpiring decisions continued to plague the team, leaving key players frustrated.

David Warner who became the center of attention after a contentious decision by on-field umpire Joel Wilson. Unlike his teammates Smith and Stoinis, Warner’s reaction was far from subdued. The incident unfolded in the early moments of Australia’s chase, and the frustration surrounding the call led to a heated exchange between Warner and the umpire.

In response, New Zealander Simon Doull, a former fast bowler, said that David Warner ought to face ICC punishment for his rant. Doull argued that technology supported the umpire’s call and that Warner’s reaction was unwarranted.

In the same match, Australia’s performance was boosted by Adam Zampa’s 4/47 and significant contributions from Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis. They secured a five-wicket win against Sri Lanka, successfully chasing down a target of 209. With their next crucial fixture against Pakistan scheduled for October 20 in Bengaluru, Australia look to continue their World Cup campaign on a positive note.

A highly anticipated clash between cricketing giants India and Pakistan is on the horizon, setting the global cricket community abuzz with excitement. This event transcends the boundaries of sport, uniting millions of passionate fans in anticipation of a monumental contest.

The longstanding cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan transforms each encounter into a mini World Cup, igniting an electric atmosphere in stadiums and on television screens worldwide. With a history of memorable clashes, the anticipation surrounding this fixture is palpable. India’s bowling unit, which aims to preserve their supremacy, provides assistance to their batting duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, Pakistan, boasting gifted players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, hold the potential to shift the game in their favour.

Off the field, the match carries an additional layer of intensity due to political tensions and historical rivalries. It symbolizes more than just a cricketing contest; it mirrors the passion, pride, and unity of each nation’s populace. Amidst the thrill and a desire, millions of hearts beat in sync as the sun sets and the athletes take the field. No matter how the India vs. Pakistan World Cup match plays out, one thing is certain: it will go down in cricket history as a remarkable occasion.