Here is why Glenn Maxwell didn't opt for a runner against Afghanistan ?
The 35-year-old made it a one-man show with blazing fours and sixes, with captain Pat Cummins holding his end.
Crickate
Glenn Maxwell emerged as the hero of the Australian squad during Tuesday, November 7th, at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, in their World Cup match against Afghanistan. Assaulting for a rational target of 292, the elite all-rounder produced an unprecedented innings of 201 runs.
At 91/7, Australia overcame a deficit and rescued itself from certain defeat against the side commanded by Hashmatullah Shahidi. Maxwell's arguably finest ODI innings ever contributed to Australia securing a berth in the competition's semifinals.
Maxwell, in defiance of the physical obstacles he encountered, maintained his composure in order to lead Australia's innings. Throughout the game, he endured back discomfort and cramps to the extent that he was at one point unable to stand. Nevertheless, he maintained an unyielding stance and carried Australia by himself.
The vast majority of the sixes and strokes he smashed were executed with one leg. Maxwell was frequently depicted in a supine position as a result of the physical strain imposed on him by the circumstances. However, despite receiving treatment, his cramping rendered him incapacitated to the point of inability to run. Nevertheless, the 35-year-old dominated with sixes and fours, while captain Pat Cummins managed to maintain his composure.
There were inquiries as to why he elected not to compete despite experiencing severe cramping. Notably, he did not choose a runner because the ICC has declared that the rule (providing a runner for an injured batter) is no longer in effect. The ICC ceased the exercise due to the possibility that runners were impeding the field.
Particularly, despite the fact that many other batsmen have taken runners up in the past depending on the circumstances, Maxwell was unable to do so against Afghanistan. Virender Sehwag substituted for Sachin Tendulkar during his record-setting 98 runs against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup.
In a similar fashion, Suresh Raina replaced VVS Laxman in the Mohali Test of 2009, prior to the latter's incensed scream against Pragyan Ojha. Yuvraj substituted for MS Dhoni in the 2019 match against Bangladesh, whereas Gautam Gambhir dashed for Sehwag during the latter's 175 against Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup.
