Cricket World Cup: Mitchell Starc doesn’t review despite no edge, Australia defeat Afghanistan, Glenn Maxwell, highlights

When the Australian batting order collapsed, leaving them on 6/87, Starc strolled to the crease to join Maxwell.

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But like the majority of those before him, Starc’s innings was over shortly after it began, but his dismissal came in truly bizarre fashion.

The Australian left-arm fast bowler was given away after Afghan keeper Ikram Alihkil took a clumsy, diving catch.

However, Starc was called out for not reviewing the decision, a choice that would have nullified the ruling and kept him on the edge alongside Maxwell.

As the replays rolled, it was clear that the ball had passed the bat without coming into contact with the rim. The gasp heard came after the ball clipped Starc’s stump.

Starc’s decision not to review the dismissal left Australia in a deep hole at 7/91, but some fans believe the call may have come after discussions with Maxwell.

Australia had only one review left and Starc was perhaps ultimately unconfident having no slight advantage on the ball.

In the end it mattered little as Maxwell unleashed the beast and delivered an innings for the ages as he smashed an unbeaten 201 to guide Australia to their sixth successive World Cup win and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Maxwell picked up the pieces of 7/91 in Australia’s victory target of 292, putting on an unbeaten stand of 202 for the eighth wicket with skipper Pat Cummins, who made 12, to complete victory with 19 balls to spare.

Falling on 33, Maxwell made Afghanistan pay with an astonishing 128-ball innings with 21 fours and 10 sixes, while becoming only the third batsman after New Zealander Martin Guptill and West Indian Chris Gayle to hit a double century at the World Cup scored.

Maxwell ended the match in style with almost three overs to spare when he hit Mujeeb for another six.

35-year-old Maxwell’s highest international score in a single day was only his fourth century in 136 matches at this level, but second of the tournament after scoring the fastest hundred in the history of the Men’s World Cup, off just 40 balls , against the Netherlands.