'What a freak': Cricket world in shock over Glenn Maxwell 'insanity'

The cricket world was left in a state of disbelief on Wednesday night as Glenn Maxwell smashed the highest individual score in BBL history and the Melbourne Stars made the biggest ever total.

Maxwell made a staggering 154 from just 64 balls at the MCG, smashing 22 boundaries and four sixes in the most brutal display of hitting in the competition's history.

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The incredible knock helped the Stars to a record total of 2-273, 41 more than the next best in BBL history and the third highest in any franchise or international T20 game in history.

Only totals made by Afghanistan and the Czech Republic have been higher, with those matches against fellow minnows Ireland and Turkey.

Maxwell's score was also the ninth-highest in T20 history, the superstar batsman dominating the Hurricanes all round the wicket, with the shot of the night an outrageous switch-hit flick over fly-slip for six.

His century was the second-fastest in BBL history, coming in 41 balls and just two shy of Craig Simmons' 39-ball effort in 2014.

The right-hander helped take 21 off one D'Arcy Short over, while he hit five boundaries for 22 runs off another from Sandeep Lamichhane.

Cricket fans and commentators around the world were left in awe.

“One of the great Big Bash hundreds from Glenn Maxwell... that man right there is a pure entertainer,” commentator Mark Howard said on Fox Cricket.

Adam Gilchrist added: “What a thrill to witness that. You always know there’s something exciting happening around Glenn Maxwell.

“He’s truly box office, to turn it on like this, you cannot look away. Whenever he’s at the crease you just do not want to miss a delivery."

Glenn Maxwell heroics too little too late for Melbourne Stars

Maxwell was not alone with Marcus Stoinis also finishing unbeaten on 75 from 31 balls.

On the same night he lost his record for the highest score in BBL history, Stoinis also showed the Hurricanes no mercy.

He launched six balls over the rope, also taking 26 from a Tim David over as no Hurricanes bowler went at an economy rate below 10.

In reply, Hobart never looked interested in the chase as they finished at 6-167 with Ben McDermott top-scoring with 55 from 33.

Maxwell's knock will serve as a great 'what-if?' for Stars fans, after they finished the season at 7-7 and with two losses with the bulk of their squad out with Covid-19.

"The disappointment of the last week probably culminated in us playing with ultimate freedom," Maxwell said on Seven's coverage.

"It's been a real tough year. I have had plenty of injuries, Covid, and pretty much every result go against us.

"A lot of things have to go right for that to happen. I had great support the whole way through."

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes' loss means they still finish fifth and face Adelaide in an eliminator on Friday, but all of a sudden with a serious dent to their momentum.

The first three finals will each be played in Melbourne, with the challenger and decider to be at home venues.

Perth will use Marvel Stadium as their home, while locked out of Western Australia.

with AAP

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