Maxwell considered retiring hurt in all-time great show

Maxwell's Miracle in Mumbai against Afghanistan has widely been lauded as the finest ODI innings of all-time after he smashed 201 from 128 balls to help Australia chase down 291.

After slumping to 7-91 early, Maxwell and Pat Cummins' unbeaten 202-run stand ensured Australia qualified for the semi-finals where they will face South Africa.

In one of the most dominant displays ever, Maxwell hit 21 fours and 10 sixes while scoring 68.6 per cent of Australia's runs.

But his innings was more than just about numbers as he struggled to move properly due to severe cramps in both legs which actually led to him going down at one stage.

Maxwell was unable to move his body while playing shots and went through a nine-over period with Cummins when they ran just six times.

"It was a strange one because I was cramping in one of my toes which was going up the front of my shin," Maxwell said.

"And then as I set off to get down the other end, I was cramping in that calf as well. So I was cramping both sides of my lower leg.

"And then as I went down with 'oh, I'm cramping', I cramped in my left hamstring at both times.

"So I have both legs, and then a back spasm at the same time."

Such was Maxwell's limited movement, teammates compared his running to that of Olympic walker Jane Saville.

Australia at one stage walked Adam Zampa down the boundary rope to replace Maxwell with 10 overs and 60 runs to go, but the Victorian opted to stay on the field.

"It was certainly in our discussions," Maxwell said.

"We talked about coming off and trying to get some work into my back and trying to loosen up my legs a little bit.

"Jonesy (Nick Jones) the physio said it would be really hard to come back out down the stairs after that.

"Then we came up with 'let's stay at the same end for as long as you can' until you can at least walk to the other end if there is an easy single.

"But for a while there it was 'if I can get one or two boundaries an over' it didn't really matter what happened at the other end.

"Because we got it to a run a ball by that stage, there was certain planning, it wasn't all just chaotic swinging."

Maxwell's innings was immediately rated among the greats with Ricky Ponting declaring in commentary he had never seen anything like it.

Sachin Tendulkar also labelled it the best ODI innings he had ever seen, as did Adam Gilchrist and former England captain Michael Vaughan.

Maxwell himself said he still needed time for it to sink in before judging where it ranked.

But after missing the previous win against England following a concussion after falling off a golf cart last week, he knows how he won't be celebrating before the last group game against Bangladesh.

"After the first two games we were pretty close to written off by most people," Maxwell said.

"To be able to string six wins together at the right time ... to be in the semis is a great feeling and hopefully we enjoy a few days in Pune.

"I'll stay away from the golf carts."

Australian Associated Press