- Pat Cummins stuns cricket fans with a cheeky sledge
- Skipper reduces Glenn Maxwell’s innings
- Maxwell’s strike is perhaps the best ever at a World Cup
Australia captain Pat Cummins has taken aim at Glenn Maxwell with a cheeky comment after Australia’s ‘Big Show’ shattered records in one of the best innings ever played in a one-day international.
The astonishing Maxwell, barely able to walk while hobbling with a back injury and terrible cramps in Mumbai, somehow still blew an unimaginable 201 – effectively on one leg – to drag Australia from 7-91, past Afghanistan total of 5-291 with three wickets, and to the semi-final of the World Cup.
As Maxwell threw Mujeeb ul Rahman into the stands to secure Australia’s victory, the entire Wankhede rose in appreciation for an age-old gladiatorial inning.
However, Cummins decided to bring Maxwell back down to earth when he took to social media on Wednesday morning.
“A lot of credit goes to Maxi, he played his role beautifully,” Cummins wrote.
Maxwell broke records in one of the greatest innings ever played in a one-day international
The Australian skipper poured cold water on Maxwell’s historic blow on Wednesday
Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes was quick to remind fans that Cummins was joking
The tweet, which has been viewed more than a million times, had fans laughing.
One fan didn’t get the joke and replied: “You put that in the obvious Captain Pat.”
Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes quickly set the fan straight, writing: “Here’s an idea James…. Grab a sense of humor!’
Cummins, who played an integral role at the other end of the wicket in helping Maxwell score runs, claimed after the match that the all-rounder had produced perhaps the best One Day International innings ever.
“I think this is the best ODI innings,” Cummins said.
“It’s the best I’ve ever seen, probably the best ODI innings ever. We just talk about it, all the players, and we decided that this is one of those days where you just say, ‘I was there in the stadium the day Glenn Maxwell chased that total single-handedly.’
‘It’s just a one-man show. I’m at the other end and can’t see any holes in the field, can’t see where I’m going to score a boundary – and yet it seems like every time he sees that, he still just runs away for four. It looks so easy.
‘He still can’t move, but still manages to hit a reverse six on third man – he’s a freak.’
Cummins believes Maxwell’s knock may be the greatest World Cup innings of all time
Tuesday night’s victory secured Australia a place in the World Cup semi-finals
Maxwell finished the job with the winning six – his 10th of the innings to go with 21 fours – and, like so many of the big hits, had to magically pull it off with minimal foot movement because his cramps were so debilitating.
‘Maxi was out of this world. I couldn’t even strike! You just let him do his thing when he does. How am I supposed to say something to someone who is like that?’ laughed Cummins.
‘Even with a deficit of 200 he was still mapping out a way for us to win the match. I was just trying to survive!’