Less than 20 overs completed.
Australia sitting at 7-91, trailing a seemingly insurmountable Afghanistan total by 200.
A semi-final berth at stake.
No recognised batsmen left in the sheds.
A 0.2 per cent chance on Winviz.
Glenn Maxwell produced an astonishing double-century that truly had to be seen to be believed for what it was.
The first Australian men’s double ton in ODI cricket, coming off 128 balls, single-handedly dragged the green and gold to a most improbable ICC World Cup comeback early Wednesday morning.
Whether the sheer weight of wanting to see out the expected misery compelled you to wait out the early hours live or you suddenly woke to see news of a true cricketing miracle through bleary eyes, it was a knock heard around the world of cricket.
A monster 202-run stand with skipper Pat Cummins ― more or less a spectator who got in free to witness the spectacle ― assured Australia’s place in the final four.
The question on observers’ lips was obvious: how does Maxwell’s piece of instant folklore compare with the best Haisman Shield demolition derbies in recent memory?
March 19, 2005 - A dynastic double-ton
It was the day that would go on to spawn generational success at Central Park-St Brendan’s.
Ramadan Yze has plenty of cricketing accolades to fall back on when he’s no longer winning GVL premierships off his own boot, but the foundation laid by others on this day set the stage for he and other Tigers to do as they pleased in the Haisman Shield.
Glenn Hart would depart early against Mooroopna, but Rohan Larkin put any woes to bed via a day-long grand final statement of intent with the bat.
Compiling the second-most prolific innings on known record, Larkin took the Cats’ attack to task all Saturday afternoon.
Almost five-and-a-half hours of toil eventually bore a simply staggering unbeaten 243, beating Mooroopna’s entire reply solo and delivering the Tigers premiership glory on a platter.
The rest, as every other side would discover the hard way, is history.
February 11, 2006 - An innings for the ages
As the Tigers went about cementing themselves as a legacy-level force, the Tigers would give birth to legend anew with an almighty showing that has yet to be rivalled in the current day.
Sam Ahmet went to work from the outset in a round 13 mauling of Katandra, reaching the boundary three dozen times as he sailed through a day’s play to post the all-time peak individual outing with the willow in the A-grade competition.
It must have been exhausting to other clubs seeing Ahmet, in his 17th year at the top level, turn superhuman on a whim.
We may never again see a 251 not out over five hours-plus of work in one or two-day Haisman Shield cricket, and two additional half-centuries down the order contributed to a total of 6-476, with the Eagles never in the hunt.
A return like that does wonders to boost his career average in the competition by more than a run to 38.78 all by itself, doesn’t it?
January 5, 2008 - Karramomus’ spectacular double act
Vibert Reserve witnessed an impeccable start to the post-festive break for its home stars as Karramomus set about decimating Tatura’s attack on its way to setting 379 for victory ― having lost just one wicket.
Daniel Forge would have been filthy not to get a slice of the action after he found himself run out and back to the sheds 24 runs into the innings.
Luckily, Tyson Sidebottom slotted in at three and started mashing like no tomorrow, guiding Karramomus to a near-unbeatable total in a punishing barrage.
It’s just too bad for Sidebottom, though, that his glorious return of 161 (18 fours, five sixes) would be upstaged. Not later that season, not even later that weekend.
Sidebottom watched his own batting partner, Paul Trevaskis, hog the headlines that day by walloping Tatura in every direction on his way to a stunning 187 (29 fours).
Just two rounds after going on a 186-run tear together against Old Students, this would complete one of the great double features seen in Haisman Shield.
Sidebottom would arguably have his revenge with a casual 192 seven seasons later for Northerners.
Honourable Mentions
There have been countless top knocks throughout the annuls and some omissions are unluckier than others.
Looking at more recent history, Michael Eckard’s brief stint in town was defined by a massive carry in Numurkah’s qualifying final win over Central Park, clearing the fence eight times and posting a game-winning 126.
He also rolled the arm over decently, taking three scalps in the chase, but it will frankly be a cold day in hell before bowlers are recognised the same way.
Kyle Mueller has inserted himself into the frame with a series of Herculean efforts, compiling a pace-setting 111.14 single-season average last campaign.
Hopefully, Mueller’s recent signing for Congupna won’t also take his bat away from the Cricket Shepparton realm.
What did we learn today?
Naturally, you might be left wondering why great names like Trevaskis and Larkin never got to take elite spinners to the cleaners on the World Cup stage.
Instead, though, what about the inverse?
Maxwell’s masterpiece will be discussed for generations, but has he cemented his legacy if he never steps foot on the hallowed Deakin Reserve turf in March to belt an unbeaten 200 against Katandra?