Cricket World Cup: Glenn Maxwell talks remarkable double-hundred, South Africa semi-final
Glenn Maxwell and the Aussies are riding high on their World Cup win streak, and the all-rounder says his side is primed and ready to vanquish South Africa in Thursday’s semi-final.
Glenn Maxwell has warned rivals South Africa that his super charged double hundred has given Australia a whole new belief for one of the biggest weeks of their career.
‘The Big Show’ has declared Australia’s in-form stars are primed to create ODI World Cup history in India, likening the atmosphere and confidence in the change room to when the team last lifted the trophy in the T20 format two years ago.
Maxwell, 35, said the record-breaking, cramp-defying innings which fuelled the miracle win over Afghanistan at the end of the group stage has Australia champing at the bit for their do-or-die shot at South Africa.
“It’s pretty exciting for our group. To have that belief. We’ve got four different century-makers in our line-up (David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and Maxwell),” Maxwell said in an exclusive interview with Fox Cricket’s Mark Howard to air on Tuesday.
“Guys who you feel like they’re primed. They’re ready to go. They’re on the cusp of doing something special and what better time.
“I can’t see a better lead-in for us. To see how good we can be … to come into the South Africa game extremely positive and in a good frame of mind to take them down.”
Maxwell said he will never forget the emotion-charged reception he received from teammates when he limped back into the Mumbai changerooms after engineering perhaps the greatest white ball innings of all time to rescue Australia from an impossible position against Afghanistan.
The band of brothers mentality that drove the core of this squad to T20 World Cup glory in 2021 is now on the verge of repeating the dose in the more storied 50-over format.
Howard’s forensic interview with Maxwell will go live at 3pm on Tuesday on Fox Cricket, as the superstar analyses every aspect of his remarkable 201 off 128 balls – before honing in on what he believes it means for Australia’s chances as the World Cup goes on the line this week.
“They (teammates) were so excited. The joy and love I felt when I came off the ground I have never felt anything like that and everyone giving me a hug. I have never felt anything like that. I will remember that forever,” Maxwell said.
“It shows you just how tight our change room is. The excitement of that match has given us a whole new belief going forward.
“It reminded me of the T20 World Cup in 2021. The same sort of feeling.
“The feeling around the group was energetic, electric, exciting and everyone felt they were heading towards the same end goal.
“And who knows, it could be the same thing here.”
Maxwell also opened up to Howard about the insomnia he was suffering early in the tournament before his wife Vini Raman and newborn son Logan Maverick arrived in India.
“The last couple of weeks having them over here has made them (the massive innings against Netherlands and Afghanistan) even more special,” Maxwell said.
“The fact they’ve been able to be here for a couple of special moments has just made this World Cup so much more memorable.
“It was quite hard work the first month of the tournament where a lot of players had families and partners around. You find yourself wandering around your hotel room alone, feeling lonely, watching the baby monitor (of baby back in Australia).
“I felt desperate for them to come over.
“It changed my mood and feelings. It de-stressed me a fair bit on the field. I wasn’t worried about what was going on back home.
“(Before they arrived) I found myself at night watching him sleep (on baby monitor app). And it’s addictive. I’d find myself not sleeping but just watching him sleep.”
A Hindi commentary feed will be available on Fox Cricket for the semi-finals between New Zealand an India on Wednesday, and Australia v South Africa on Thursday, as well as the final on Sunday.
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