Alex Carey stand was a career-high for Glenn Maxwell
Alex Carey celebrates his century with Glenn Maxwell. Photo: Getty
Centuries to Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey have helped Australia chase down a record total in Manchester, and seal the ODI series against England.
Maxwell rated his match-winning partnership with close mate Carey as one of the highlights of his career.
Maxwell and Carey resuscitated Australia’s innings with a world record sixth-wicket stand of 212 after the hosts had reduced the tourists to 5-75 in pursuit of 303.
Although both players were dismissed before the end of the innings, they were instrumental in inflicting a first home series defeat on the world champions for five years in a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford.
Maxwell, who helped Australia win the 2015 World Cup, smashed seven sixes and four boundaries in his 108 from 90 balls and was at the crease when Carey made his maiden international ton with a superb 106.
The mercurial Victorian, who also became the fastest player to reach 3000 ODI runs, was at his brilliant best as he and Carey stabilised the innings before going after the England attack in the final 20 overs.
Although the pair were dismissed just before the end, Mitchell Starc hit 11 off the final over to seal a three-wicket win with two balls to spare.
“It rates pretty highly, I really enjoyed the partnership,” said Maxwell.
“Being there when Alex got his hundred was very special. I know how hard he works and is such a great person and one of the best people to be around.
“To see him get the rewards at the other end to beat the world’s No.1 team on home soil was even more special.”
Maxwell believes the series win, following the bitter disappointment of losing a match they had in their grasp in the second ODI on Sunday, shows great encouragement in the build-up towards the 2023 World Cup in India.
“Coming in at 5-70-odd it was a case of hit or bust. If you lose another wicket within the next five overs it would have been pretty hard to expect the bowlers to do the job with the bat,” he said.
“But we took a couple of risks early and got away with them and was able to ride the momentum going forward.
“I think you saw the firepower of England’s lower order the other day,” he said.
“They have plenty of options with bat and ball and when you throw Ben Stokes back in the mix when he gets back it is a pretty formidable team.
“So to beat them is pretty incredible for this group.
“We have worked so hard since coming together and this is very special to beat a team that has been playing consistently good cricket for a few months.”
-with AAP