I understand Glen does not like this nickname, The Big Show just became The Biggest Show. It was around 11 pm and I was falling asleep. Australia was in serious trouble at 7-91 chasing down Afghanistan’s total of 5-291 in the 19th over. Glen Maxwell was coming off a big innings against the Netherlands, scoring an amazing 106 off of 44 balls.

I turned the cricket on for the final stages of Afghanistan’s innings, they put on a pretty decent display. At the 40th over, they were around 200, then they accelerated away in the final 4 overs to post a decent total of 291. I was cooking garlic prawns for my late dinner, Mitch Marsh was hitting fours and sixes and Australia looked well on its way to running down this total.

It was looking like a feasible run chase with Marnus Labuschagne at the crease; however, Marnus was dozing when Glen called a quick single and he nearly made his ground. Then Inglis, Stoinis and Starc all got out in a short time leaving Australia highly vulnerable, defeat seemed inevitable. It was late in the evening, I had to work the next day so I went to bed close to midnight seeing a victory unlikely.

Maxwell was having back spasms and leg cramps, he had difficulty running so quick singles were out and boundaries and sixes were required. So not only was Glen battling Afghanistan, he was fighting himself. I missed the news on the radio when I got up and got ready, so I was in my vehicle on my way to work the next morning when the 7am news came on the radio, Australia had booked a place in the semi-final against South Africa and Maxi scored 201 not out. I could not believe it, this was a comeback for the ages, this was the point where the belief became real.