Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers both showed their cricket prowess when they battled illness to achieve remarkable centuries in the World Cup.
In 2015, AB de Villiers had a stomach issue before a match, and he couldn’t sleep all night. He had to take an injection to be able to play, and the result was the fastest 150 runs in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket. He scored 162 runs off just 66 balls, helping South Africa reach a total of 408 runs.
Fast forward eight years to the 2023 World Cup, and Glenn Maxwell found himself in a similar situation. He was unwell before a match against the Netherlands in Delhi. He wasn’t even sure if he would be able to bat. However, not only did he step onto the field, but he also rewrote the record books with an astonishing performance.
Glenn Maxwell Fastest Century
Glenn Maxwell hit eight sixes in the match, which tied the second-most number of sixes hit by an Australian player in a World Cup game, alongside legends like Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting. He reached his third ODI century in just 40 balls, making it the fastest century in World Cup history. Glenn Maxwell needed just 13 balls to go from 50 to 100 runs. He played an array of unconventional shots, including switch hits, reverse sweeps, and scoops, leaving the Netherlands bowlers bewildered.
After his incredible innings of 106 runs off 44 balls, the International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a video that showed Maxwell taking a pill just before walking in to bat.
Maxwell, after the match, admitted to feeling unwell. He mentioned that he didn’t really want to bat, a stark contrast to his eagerness in the previous game. He also talked about his high arousal levels and how he was more relaxed when he finally got out on the field. Despite his doubts and discomfort, Maxwell’s performance was truly outstanding. The victory for Australia in that match was the biggest in World Cup history, with a margin of 309 runs.
Maxwell’s eight sixes all came in the last five overs of the Australian innings. He, as an all-rounder, discussed his strategy with captain Pat Cummins, who was at the non-striker’s end. Maxwell wanted to maximize the run-scoring in the closing stages of the match.
He shared his plan, saying that he aimed to control the last five overs and avoid taking singles because it might only result in minimal runs. He believed that putting pressure on a specific bowler by hitting a few boundaries in a row could lead to mistakes and errors from the opposition. Maxwell was able to execute this strategy successfully in the 49th over, putting pressure on the bowler and capitalizing on any loose deliveries.
Maxwell also mentioned that he was fortunate to face a couple of full tosses in the final overs, which helped him reach his century. His tactical approach at the end of the innings played a significant role in his remarkable performance.
In summary, both AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell showcased their cricketing excellence by battling illness and producing incredible centuries in World Cup matches. Their ability to overcome physical discomfort and deliver stunning performances on the field is a testament to their skills and determination in the world of cricket.