Glenn Maxwell century delivers a stunning win for Australia

Australia needed a miracle in India and once again Glenn Maxwell delivered in a parting gift for the T20 series.

Glenn Maxwell left India in style smashing the equal-fastest T20 hundred in Australian history, in 47 balls, and 20 runs off the final over to guide his team to a miraculous five-wicket win in his final match of the series in Guwhati.

With an early exit booked, as one of six World Cup heroes departing the series, Maxwell, playing his 100th T20 for Australia, racked up a fourth hundred off the second last ball of the innings as one of three fours and a six in the final four balls to reel in India’s massive total of 222.

Maxwell, battling cramps as he did making his monster double-hundred during the World Cup, and captain Matthew Wade combined to make a staggering 47-runs off the final two overs to steal a famous victory and keep the series alive.

“It was always going to take our best and [Maxwell] one of the best players that’s ever played T20s for Australia played his 100th game and got a hundred, so pretty special for him,” Wade said after Australia finished on 5-225 to secure the last-ball win.

“I wouldn’t say “confident” was on my mind, but we knew here we can bat in chases.

“We really needed this win and a lot of guys are heading home so a chance for the younger ones and hopefully we can take it to the decider with another win.”

Matthew Wade (L) celebrates with Glenn Maxwell (Photo by Biju BORO / AFP)

Wade joked Maxwell needed to make up for conceding a mammoth 30 runs off the final over of India’s innings, when he stepped up to bowl after Kane Richardson injured himself.

“It was hard work getting those 20 overs out and obviously getting the injury late to Kane threw a spanner in the works for the last few overs.,” Wade said.

“I was pretty grumpy after handing Maxi the last over; before that one went for 30 I thought we were right in the game but unfortunately that one went for 30 and I was more grumpy than confident.

🔥 The fastest World Cup century
🤯 A mind-blowing double-ton
💥 A record-equalling fourth T20I hundred

Glenn Maxwell, you have spoiled us lately 🤩 pic.twitter.com/O4AjJo85wK

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 28, 2023

“ Maxi wouldn’t have got that hundred if he hadn’t tossed those 30 anyway. We really needed this win and a lot of guys are heading home so a chance for the younger ones to learn how to play in India. Hopefully we can take it to the decider with another win in the next game.”

Opener Travis Head returned to the team to open the batting with all-rounder Aaron Hardie and whacked 35 off 18 balls.

He’ll remain in India with Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Steve Smith and Adam Zampa exiting the series which India now leads 2-1 with two matches to go.