Maxwell's look-away cut, and other outrageous World Cup shots
A look-back on five memorable strokes from World Cup 2015
ESPNcricinfo staff
Australia were being sternly examined by Wahab Riaz in the <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/current/match/656487.html" target="_blank">quarter-final</a>, but Glenn Maxwell turned on the style, smashing 44 off 29 balls that included a stroke which he described as "the back away, look away, deliberate cut through point". Wahab followed Maxwell, who was making room outside leg, with a short ball. Maxwell slapped it away, half cutting, half pulling, his fast hands directing operations awkwardly but effectively. Maxwell admitted that he was almost undone, saying: 'Well bowled Wahab! Had me!" Associated Press
<a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/image/842247.html?object=44936;dir=next" target="_blank">There is nothing AB de Villiers cannot do</a>. After going down to India, South Africa rebounded strongly, their captain leading the way with <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/current/match/656435.html" target="_blank">162* off 66</a>. On his way to the fastest 150 in ODIs, de Villiers stunned Andre Russell by running across to off and sweep-scooping one to the square leg boundary. As Dale Steyn puts it: "It's like watching the <i>Matrix</i> movie. There's Neo right there. He doesn't understand how good he is." Getty Images
Loading ...
In <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/current/match/656449.html" target="_blank">Perth</a>, Shapoor Zadran with his Shoaib Akhtar-inspired run-up steamed in and missed a yorker. Maxwell reversed his stance and flicked a 140kph full toss over the third-man boundary with consummate ease. He went onto smite 88 off 39 balls as Australia surged to the <a href="http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=team_score;template=results;trophy=12;type=team;view=innings" target="_blank">highest total</a> in World Cup history. Getty Images
Kane Williamson's lofted six may not be as outrageous as Maxwell's or de Villiers', but its impact was decisive - it was the clincher in a nail-biting <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/current/match/656437.html" target="_blank">Trans-Tasman clash</a>. Mitchell Starc's fiery spell left New Zealand needing six runs with only one wicket in hand. An uber-cool Williamson, who was aware that mid-on was in the circle, targeted the short straight boundary and launched Pat Cummins for a six, sealing the deal for New Zealand. Getty Images
Rilee Rossouw played the pick-up truck to the Rolls-Royce in de Villiers <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/current/match/656435.html" target="_blank">against West Indies</a>, but his flying uppercut might have left even de Villiers envious. Rossouw reached his fifty by leaping off his feet, getting on top of the bounce and cracking Jerome Taylor over backward point. Getty Images
