New Delhi: The cricket fraternity on witnessed one of the, if not the best, innings in the history of cricket, by Glenn Maxwell, to take Australia into the semifinals for a record ninth time in World Cup history.
Maxwell came out to bat when his team was reeling on 49 for 4, and then getting reduced to 91 for 7. With 201 runs still needed and only 3 wickets in hand, no one gave Australia any chance to win, except Maxwell himself.
Despite suffering from cramps, that even made him unable to walk properly, Maxwell scored a brilliant 201* in just 128 balls with the help of 21 fours and 10 sixes, and shared an unbeaten 202 runs partnership with skipper Pat Cummins (12*), to give Aussies their highest run chase in World Cup history, by 3 wickets.
Maxwell was down & out with cramps but the support for him in Wankhede was incredible and given the energy for Maxi….!!!!!!
– Mumbai is the home of Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/17so0wig7K
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 8, 2023
Afghanistan had a great chance to achieve their dream of reaching the World Cup semifinals, but they let that go and are now dependent on ifs and buts to reach the semifinals.
Check out the complete points table of ICC World Cup 2023, till November 8, morning below:
| Rank | Teams | M | W | L | N/R | Points | Net RR |
| 1 | India (Q) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 16 | +2.45 |
| 2 | South Africa (Q) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 12 | +1.37 |
| 3 | Australia (Q) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 12 | +0.86 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | +0.39 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -0.03 |
| 6 | Afghanistan | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -0.33 |
| 7 | Bangladesh (E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | -1.14 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka (E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | -1.16 |
| 9 | Netherland | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | -1.39 |
| 10 | England (E) | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | -1.50 |
The semifinalists
With Australia joining the fray on Tuesday, 3 out of 4 teams for the semifinals of ICC World Cup 2023, have been decided. The other two are the hosts India and the South African team.
India sits at the top of the table with 16 points out of 8 matches and is confirmed to end the league stages with the number 1 spot, which means they are yet to discover who their opponents in the semifinals are going to be on November 15.
Whole Nation wants to relieve these moments🥺😭🙌
2011 WC winner = India
Hopefully we will lift WC trophy this time, after 12 years🤞🥺
Menifesting India’s victory in this WC🤞🥺#SemiFinal#IndianCricketTeam #ICCCricketWorldCup23 pic.twitter.com/xLUsFfaWXP
— SWATI SHARMA💛 (@Sharmaji___07) November 8, 2023
The South African team, with 12 points in 8 matches, sits at the number 2 spot and on the basis of the results of their final match, they can either finish in second or third position, but despite the results, they will be facing Australia in the Semifinals on November 17.
#WATCH | West Bengal: South African cricket team arrived in Kolkata ahead of their match against India on 5th November at Eden Gardens#ICCCricketWorldCup23 pic.twitter.com/dMQJOr8i8g
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2023
In the third spot, Australia also has the same story as South Africa. They also have 12 points in 8 games and can finish on either second or third position, but regardless they will be going up against the Proteas in the semifinals on November 17.
Glenn Maxwell 201* (128) ball by ball vs Afghanistan @Gmaxi_32 pic.twitter.com/erzOx4opBs
— Ismaeel Farrukh (@IF7____) November 8, 2023
The fight for the final spot
Afghanistan had a great chance to increase their chances of reaching the semifinals on Tuesday, but they let their chances slip and now are on the even grounds with Pakistan and New Zealand.
When you defy all the orthodox rules in cricket. This Afghanistan team is something else#AfghanistanCricket #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/VJg6GYBUsU
— Arijeet 태현 (@ArijeetAsh) November 7, 2023
They all have 8 points in 8 matches, one team winning their final match will be enough for their qualification, but if two or all three teams win their last match, the final semifinalist will be decided on the basis of net run rate, and in that case the Kiwis has the best chances for qualification, followed by Pakistan and Afghanistan.
