Most runs scored by a player in the second innings of a One-Day International (male)

Described as “the greatest ODI innings that’s ever happened”, Glenn Maxwell’s (Australia) extraordinary, injury-hampered 201 not out against Afghanistan at the Men’s Cricket World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, on 7 November 2023 was the 10th-highest score by a player in a One-Day International (ODI), the third-highest at the World Cup and the most runs ever scored by a player in the second innings of an ODI in the 4,696-match history of the 50-over format.

Dropped on 24 and 33 and reprieved by the TV umpire on 27 after being given out lbw, Maxwell, who had entered the fray with Australia on 49 for 4, chasing 292 for victory, smacked 10 sixes and 21 fours from the 128 balls he faced. He ended the contest in spectacular fashion, bludgeoning 6-6-4-6 from the last four deliveries as the “Baggy Greens” – from a perilous 91 for 7 – pulled off one of the most incredible limited-overs run chases with 19 balls to spare.

Back pain and cramp had conspired against the middle-order batter from a long way out. Reported the BBC Sport website: “With 100 runs needed he was struggling to run; by the time it got down to 75 he could barely move his feet to play a shot. Not that it mattered. Maxwell’s hand-eye coordination and ball striking was nigh-on perfect.”

Australia’s first men’s ODI double-centurion had "warmed up" for his spectacular innings of 201 not out with a 40-ball World Cup century against the Netherlands in Delhi on 25 October 2023 – the fastest hundred in a Cricket World Cup match (male).

Previously, Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman’s 193 in defeat against South Africa in Johannesburg on 4 April 2021 had been the highest score by a player batting second in an ODI.

Australia’s improbable victory in Mumbai – made possible by an unbroken 202-run eighth-wicket partnership between Maxwell and Australia captain Pat Cummins (12 not out off 68 balls) – sealed their place in the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-finals with one match to spare.