MAD MAX MAGIC AS HOBBLING HERO’S 201 SAVES AUSSIES

GLENN MAXWELL battled through the pain barrier to smash one of the all-time great innings and send Australia into the World Cup semi-finals.

The all-rounder arrived at the crease in Mumbai to face a hat-trick ball against Afghanistan and stood and watched as his side slumped to 91-7 chasing 292.

But Maxwell’s remarkable knock, often on one leg as he struggled with a back injury and cramp (above right), saw him finish 201 not out.

The win means the Aussies join India and South Africa in the final four and Maxwell, the first Australian to hit an ODI double ton, said: “Everyone wrote us off after two losses. But we’ve won six in a row now. And I hope that belief passes around our changing rooms.”

Maxwell was dropped twice during his 202-run partnership with skipper Pat Cummins – who was 12 not out from 68 balls – as the Aussies won by three wickets with 19 deliveries to spare.

The 35-year-old, who had already hit the fastest World Cup century earlier in the tournament against the Netherlands, returned after missing Saturday’s win over England because of a concussion sustained after falling off a golf buggy.

And he made the most of his escapes, especially when Mujeeb Ur Rahman somehow spilled an easy chance at short fine leg with Maxwell on 33. The Aussie hero (above left) added: “It was quite hot when we were fielding and I haven’t done a whole lot of high intensity exercise in the heat.

“It got a hold of me and I was lucky to stick it out until the end. I’ve lived a very charmed life out there. To make the most of it, be not out with Pat out there at the end I’m proud of.”

Cummins said: “Maxi was just out of this world. He dragged us out of that one. It’s got to be the greatest ODI innings that has ever happened.”

Afghanistan made 291-5 with Ibrahim Zadran hitting their first World Cup ton and they were well set to join Australia in the top four before being floored by Maxwell’s heroics.

Captain Hasmatullah Shahidi said: “That dropped catch was the key point. Maxwell doesn’t stop, I have to give credit to him.”

■ Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who was at the centre of Monday’s controversial timed out dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews, will miss their final game against Australia on Saturday with a broken finger.