In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has lived up to his ‘The Big Show’ epithet by matching Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s record of four T20I centuries. Maxwell’s latest feat came during a game-changing performance in the third T20I at Guwahati on Wednesday, where his explosive unbeaten 104 off just 48 balls powered Australia to a successful chase of a daunting 223-run target set by the Men in Blue, underscored by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s superb 123 off 57 balls.
The milestone century marked Maxwell’s 100th T20I appearance, in which he has amassed a formidable 2,275 runs, averaging 29.54 with a strike rate exceeding 153. Behind compatriots David Warner and Aaron Finch in terms of runs, Maxwell is Australia’s third-highest run-scorer in this format, a testament to his consistent high-impact performances.
Prior to this, during the 2020 ICC Cricket World Cup, the ‘Big Show’ headlined yet again. He strode to the crease against the Netherlands with Australia at a comfortable 266 for 4 after 39 overs. What followed was nothing short of a white-ball spectacle, as Maxwell unleashed a scoring fury, recording the fastest century in World Cup history, taking a mere 40 balls to achieve the feat. He wrapped up his innings with 106 runs off 44 balls.
But it was on November 7 that Maxwell’s legendary status was cemented. Facing Afghanistan, the Aussies found themselves teetering on 91 for 7 in pursuit of 292. With the opposition’s spirited bowling challenging the five-time world champions, Maxwell, battling the extreme conditions and physical discomforts, forged a match-saving alliance with skipper Pat Cummins. With his eclectic array of shots, resembling more golf or baseball swings, he carried Australia to a miraculous victory, becoming the first Australian men’s cricketer to score an ODI double century, notching up 201 runs from 128 balls. This performance rewrote records, as he tallied the highest ODI score ever by a non-opener.
The resilience, audacity, and tenacity of Maxwell’s batting etched in the minds of cricket fans a comparison to dramatic cinema and the valiant comebacks of WWE icon Undertaker. Memes and tributes spread across the internet, celebrating the all-rounder’s ability to rise from the ashes and launch counter-attacks when all seemed lost.
Following this remarkable inning, Maxwell continued his impressive run with the record-equalling century against India. Throughout the year, across 13 matches, he has accumulated 529 runs at an average of 58.77 and a formidable strike rate of over 156, including three centuries.
Looking ahead, Maxwell appears in prime form to be a pivotal force in Australia’s campaign to clinch the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June – potentially their second title. His rich vein of experience and explosive batting could very well prove to be the linchpin for another Australian triumph on the global stage.
As Maxwell’s nickname implies, his cricketing narrative is a series of blockbuster performances, but the ultimate accolade – leading his nation to another ICC title – remains a chapter yet to be written. Fans of the game wait with bated breath to see if ‘The Big Show’ will continue his exceptional run. Whether he can propel Australia to the zenith of international cricket in the T20 World Cup will be a question answered only in time. For now, the cricketing world lauds his current achievements and eagerly anticipates his future endeavors on the pitch.