Glenn Maxwell: Australia batter on double century, Pat Cummins, the pain and his recovery.

That's how Glenn Maxwell's sensational 201 not out to help Australia beat Afghanistan was described.

The all-rounder came to the crease with his side 49-4, which soon became 91-7, in pursuit of 292 to seal a semi-final spot.

Maxwell's innings, the highest men's one-day international score by an Australia batter, was all the more remarkable given he battled cramp and back spasms throughout

After reaching his century off 76 balls, Maxwell started to struggle with back pain and spasms, while also getting cramp in both legs. It left him needing treatment several times and having to play shots without moving his feet.

"I started having a bit of a stiff back, which became back spams throughout the middle of my innings. That was just from fielding during the heat of the day, bowling 10 overs in a few different spells, then sitting down for an hour and a half after fielding. I froze up a little bit before I went out to bat.

"Different body parts started going at different times. The first thing was the middle toe on my right foot started to bend back and I thought, 'Oh no, this is going to be horrible'. The next few overs were so frustrating - I was facing up, knowing my foot was just about to go into cramps. I knew I was not going to be able to run soon.

"My normal limit is facing 40 to 50 balls. Once I got past that stage and I got full body cramps, I was in a bit of trouble.

"I started breathing really fast and it was like I was going into shock. I told my wife that's the second most pain I've ever been in [after breaking my leg last year].

"My whole body was shaking because I felt like I couldn't get any air in. The physio came out and started trying to control my breathing. There was a little bit of panic because I just didn't know what to do, I was in so much pain, I didn't know how to stop it.