Yesterday the cricket world witnessed one of the greatest One-Day internationals to have ever been played. This contest between Australia and Afghanistan lived up to the standards of the biggest event in the cricketing world, the ODI World Cup. This was undoubtedly one of the best matches in the ODI World Cup history. It went through its ebbs and grandly flows to end with Glenn Maxwell playing an inning of a lifetime.
Let’s take a look at the top 3 talking points from AUS vs AFG clash:
3. Afghanistan has well and truly entered the “big boys” club
A whole chapter will be written about Afghanistan’s heroics whenever this World Cup will be remembered. They have punched much above their weight in this tournament, surprising former World Champions to stay relevant in the World Cup right till the business end. They had already defeated three former World Champions before entering into this contest with the mighty Aussies. They almost pulled off a victory against the 5-time World Cup winners. The Afghans put up a tricky total batting first and bowled brilliantly in the first half of the Australian innings. This team must take positives from this match rather than looking at a defeat which is only possible one out of ten times.
2. Never count the Australians out
World Cups? Australians are always in it to win it. The Kangaroos know how to put up a fight till the last moment. Against Afghanistan, they showed why they are the most revered and feared side in World Cricket. It is their sheer determination to not accept the defeat until the last ball is bowled that took them across the line. Now, the Australians have won six matches on the trot and they are ready to claim another World title. After initial setbacks in the tournament, they have finally come back into their groove. The Kangaroos are peaking at the right time and others should be wary of them.
1. Glenn Maxwell’s moment
It appears that Glenn Maxwell was born to play this divine knock and take Australia from the jaws of defeat to the summit of glory. The Aussies were down and out in this match but it was Glenn Maxwell who was hell-bent on not leaving the ground without a fight. This victory and this moment belong to him. He has played the best knock of his life and arguably the greatest ever in the history of ODI cricket.