Maxwell sets new record as fastest man to score 3,000 ODI runs

He is only the sixth man to reach 3,000 ODI runs at a strike rate of over 100

maxwell-aus-eng-ap Australia’s Glenn Maxwell celebrates scoring a century during the third ODI against England | AP

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell has become the fastest man to score 3,000 ODI runs in terms of balls faced during the third One Day International against England. He reached the milestone on his 2,440th ball—92 fewer balls than his nearest rival, Jos Buttler.

Maxwell is only the sixth man to reach 3,000 ODI runs at a strike rate of over 100. The 31-year-old has a strike rate of 122.95.

Centuries from Maxwell (108) and Alex Carey (106) guided Australia to a three-wicket win in the final ODI in Manchester and a 2-1 series victory. England suffered their first home ODI series defeat in five years.

“Everything pretty much went to plan tonight, the way our partnership built was outstanding,” Maxwell said, after scoring just his second century in 113 matches.

“I feel like I’ve always batted better for Australia when we’ve been in a bit of trouble.”

Maxwell, who has faced a number of setbacks in the past year, made his first appearance in international cricket with the tour of England, almost a year since withdrawing from the home T20I series against Sri Lanka. He took a break to deal with mental health issues before returning to domestic cricket earlier this year.

Australia named him in the squad for the white-ball tour of South Africa in February, but Maxwell had to withdraw due to an elbow surgery.

His latest record puts Maxwell ahead of those who have reached the mark at better than a run a ball. England trio Jos Buttler (2,532 balls), Jason Roy (2,824) and Jonny Bairstow (2,842) all managed it at better than run-a-ball pace, as did Indian legend Kapil Dev (2,957) and South African power hitter David Miller (2,997).

(With inputs)

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