Glenn Maxwell lifts lid on Pat Cummins’ changeroom blow-up after World Cup heroics

Glenn Maxwell has lifted the lid on what unfolded in the Australian changerooms following his matchwinning heroics.

Glenn Maxwell says he knew he could pull off the miracle win for Australia over Afghanistan, lifting the lid on his killer instinct and Pat Cummins’ post-game blow-up after his historic World Cup knock.

Maxwell single-handedly saved Australia with an astonishing innings of 201 not out off 128 balls to claim a three-wicket win over Afghanistan and book a spot in the World Cup semi-finals.

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Maxwell’s efforts were even more remarkable given Australia were 7/91 at one stage, still requiring more than 200 runs to chase down Afghanistan’s total of 295.

The double century featured 21 fours and 10 sixes, and Maxwell brought up the victory in style when he flicked the ball off his pads for a six to bring up his 200.

Unable to move his feet as cramps and fatigue crippled his body, Maxwell turned his bat into a wand as he flicked and bludgeoned balls to the boundary with ridiculous ease.

Speaking to Fox Cricket’s Mark Howard, Maxwell said there was no doubt in his mind he could win the match and raise his double century with one shot when there were five runs left to win.

“I knew I had two balls in that over,” Maxwell recalled. “So I thought if I don’t quite get the ball here, I’ll probably get the last one.

Glenn Maxwell knew he could win it for Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“I was so calm at the start of that over. I’d just had a drink, towelled myself down, given my helmet away. Patty’s like, ‘What are you thinking this over’ and I’m like, ‘Don’t worry, it’s over this over. Don’t worry’.

“It may sound arrogant and over confident but because I knew I had the short boundary, because I knew Mujeeb (Ur Rahman). We’ve played against and with each other. I’ve spent a whole IPL training with him, having little contests and spending a lot of time with him.

“And I’d faced most of his overs he’d bowled at that stage. I just felt like, ‘I’ve got this. I’ve got the short boundary. I know I don’t have to hit it out of the middle to get a six.

“I was just confident. I knew if I had two or three balls in the slot I’d be able to get them.”

It wasn’t until the last 10 overs that Maxwell even entertained the thought that Australia could win the game.

“Around the 60-70 runs to get, I thought we’ve actually got a chance here,” he said.

“We’ve actually got a red hot chance. I think we needed 60 off the last 10 (overs). I joked to one of the twelthies, ‘We’re only 10 hits away now’.

“We were trying to keep that humour between all of us out there, trying not to add extra anxiety or pressure to the situation.”

Pat Cummins joked Maxwell has cooked his strike rate. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Cummins played his part, blocking Afghanistan’s spinners to finish with 12 off 68 balls as he and Maxwell added 202 runs in an epic partnership.

The Aussie captain joked on social media afterwards: “A lot of credit should go to Maxi, he played his role beautifully”.

Giving an insight into the lighthearted vibe in the team, Maxwell revealed Cummins had a mini fake tantrum in the changeroom after the game, complaining about his strike rate being “cooked”.

“There’s plenty of banter being thrown around in the changeroom,” he said.

“Pat sort of walked in and thrown his helmet on the ground and gone, ‘Can’t believe it. My strike rate’s cooked. Unbelievable. Jesus. I shouldn’t have knocked back all those singles.’

“Obviously we’re all getting taken the mickey out of. I’m getting taken the mickey out of for not being able to run properly, like a salmon on the ground shaking.

“It was just such a great feeling in the changeroom. It reminded me of the T20 World Cup in 2021, the same sort of feeling — energetic, electric, exciting and everyone felt like they were heading towards the same end goal. Who knows, it could be the same here.”

The vibes are pretty good in the Aussie dressing room. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Maxwell and Mitchell Starc were rested in Australia’s win over Bangladesh and confidence is sky high in the Aussie camp after claiming seven wins on the trot.

India will take on New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday before Australia play South Africa in the other semi-final on Thursday for the a spot in the decider.

“It’s pretty exciting for our group to have that belief,” Maxwell said of the positive vibe in the Australian dressing room.

“We’ve got four different century makers in our line-up (Maxwell, David Warner, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh).

“Guys who you feel are primed, ready to go, on the cusp of doing something special. I just can’t see a better lead in for us. Hopefully we’re in a positive frame of mind to take them down.”

Watch the full Glenn Maxwell interview on Fox Cricket on Tuesday at 3pm, available on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

A Hindi commentary feed for the three remaining World Cup finals will be available on Fox Cricket Plus.