Ten of the best: How Maxwell's unforgettable knock compares with other ODI classics

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell smashed arguably the greatest individual ODI innings of all time when amassing 201* to steer the five-time champions to an astonishing triumph over Afghanistan at the Cricket World Cup 2023.

Maxwell arrived at the crease with Australia reeling at 49/4 in the ninth over in their chase of Afghanistan's 292-run target, but few could have predicted the fireworks that would follow.

The dynamic right-hander turned the match with an innings for the ages of 201* from 128 balls with 10 sixes and 21 boundaries.

Maxwell’s feat was all the more incredible for achieving it all but on one leg after suffering from severe cramps from well before the target was within Australia's reach.

“Glenn Maxwell. Unbelievable. The most remarkable thing you will probably ever see in cricket. Staggering. Absolutely mind-blowing,” former New Zealand keeper Ian Smith said after Maxwell hit a six to seal the win and reach his double ton.

Maxwell miracle: Incredible stats behind one of the greatest ODI knocks

Pat Cummins had a front row seat for much of Maxwell’s record-shattering knock as part of an unbeaten 202-run stand where the Australia captain only needed to contribute 12 runs.

"I think that's the greatest ODI innings I've ever seen. It's probably the greatest ODI innings ever," Cummins said after Australia's victory and semi-final berth were secured.

Rohit still holds the record for the highest individual score in a men’s ODI after amassing 264 against Sri Lanka in India’s total of 404.

The right-hander opened for India and carried his bat all the way through to the last ball of the innings when he charged Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Kulasekara and was caught at long off.

Rohit reached his landmark total from 173 balls with nine sixes and 33 boundaries - and to set a record that still stands for the most fours in an individual ODI innings.

The New Zealand opener set the record that still stands for the highest individual score at a men’s Cricket World Cup with 237* against West Indies.

The right-hander saved his powerful performance for a big occasion with the innings setting up New Zealand’s quarter-final victory over West Indies enroute to the Cricket World Cup final.

Guptill carried his bat through the innings to amass his lofty total from 163 balls with 11 sixes and 24 fours in a devastating knock that remains the tournament benchmark.

The South Africa captain clubbed the fastest individual hundred in the history of ODIs - and a record that still stands - when reaching a ton off 31 balls against West Indies.

De Villiers went on to amass 149 from only 44 balls, with 16 sixes and nine boundaries in an innings for the ages and a knock that arguably flipped the format on its head.

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India were in dire trouble at 9/4 when Kapil Dev arrived at the crease and soon watched the side crumble further to 17/5.

The India captain put together 175* from 138 balls with six sixes and 16 fours, to guide his side to 266/8 and a stirring victory on the way to lifting the Cricket World Cup trophy for the first time.

Kapil’s knock was the highest individual score in a Cricket World Cup for a batter coming in at No.6 or lower until Maxwell went past it for Australia against Afghanistan in the ongoing tournament.

The innings was also the highest individual men’s score in an ODI at the time.

The West Indies opener became the first batter to pass 200 in a men’s Cricket World Cup with a double ton against Zimbabwe.

Gayle blasted 215 from 147 balls with more sixes (16) than fours (10), and was only dismissed from the last ball of the innings when trying to claim the outright record for the most sixes in an ODI but sliced a shot to point.

The keeper-batter all but ensured that Australia made it three titles in a row after opening the first innings of the Cricket World Cup final and taking the game away from Sri Lanka with a match-defining knock.

Gilchrist smacked 149 runs from only 104 balls, with eight sixes and 13 fours, as the rest of Australia’s star-studded line-up stepped into a support role.

The Australia great was dismissed in the 31st over with what remains the highest score in a men’s World Cup final, but by then his side were on track for a third trophy with a dominant display.

Richards held the record for the highest individual score in a men’s ODI for almost 13 years after smashing a devastating 189* against England that set the standard for years to come.

The West Indies legend played a lone hand with his landmark total notched from 170 balls with five sixes and 21 fours, as 26 was the next best score in 272/9.

The large team total for the time was enough to brush aside an England outfit that made 168 in reply, as Richards also turned to his off-spinners to take 2/45.

India won the toss and elected to field first but would soon rue the decision as defending champions Australia piled on 359/2 to take control of the Cricket World Cup final.

Captain Ponting was a key to the match-defining total with a classy knock packed with power as much as precision for 140* from 121 balls.

Ponting’s eight sixes were then the most by an individual batter in a World Cup innings, while he also smacked four boundaries.

Australia would go on to lift the trophy on the back of Ponting’s knock that was then the highest score from an individual batter in a men’s Cricket World Cup final.

The middle-order maestro put together a critical innings that set up Ireland’s rousing first-ever ODI victory over England when they chased down a target of 328 - and it came in a World Cup.

O'Brien reached his century off only 50 balls - a World Cup record at the time - and went on to make 113 from 63 deliveries with six sixes and 13 fours, to play a key role in what was then the highest successful run chase in an ODI.