Australia vs Afghanistan HIGHLIGHTS, ICC World Cup 2023: Injured Maxwell smashes 200 as Australia wins by three wickets to qualify for semifinals

Maxwell plays a dot first up and in the next, smokes one on the leg side for a HUGE SIX! MAXWELL MOVES INTO THE 190s WITH YET ANOTHER SIX! Mujeeb goes wide this time and slashes one for a FOUR AND HE DOES IT IN STYLE. TAKE A BOW! MAXWELL YOU BEAUTY! HE DOES THE UNTHINKABLE AND GUIDES AUSTRALIA TO AN UNLIKELY WIN! HE GETS TO HIS DOUBLE TON AS WELL! He breaks the record of the highest score in an ODI runchase!

Rashid is into the attack. Maxwell takes a single off the first ball, clever move as he looks to protect his wicket. Wide down the leg side. Four from the over as Rashid’s quota of 10 overs comes to an end

Naveen replaces Noor. Full and just outside off and Maxwell smokes it for a six! Hard to even imagine what Mujeeb will be thinking after dropping a sitter. Swing and a miss and the ball misses the top of off by centimeters! Yorking length this time, Maxwell checks his shot and the ball was in the air for a while, Naveen dived full stretch but the ball goes agonisingly past the bowler

Azmat continues. Drifts it down the pads, Maxwell swings at it and it takes an inside edge and runs away for a FOUR. You can’t do that Maxwell! Full and outside off from Azmat, Maxwell reverse hits it for a massive SIX! Slightly short now and Maxwell smacks it for a four bisecting two deep fielderrs! Built different! He manages a single off the last ball!

Noor is in to bowl his last over. After two dots, Cummins pushes one behind point but he is unable to take a run since Maxwell can’t move around.

Azmat replaces Naveen. Outside off, Maxwell tries to reverse hit but misses. Fuller this time, Maxwell digs deep and slots it on the legside for a FOUR! Superhuman innings from him. Yet another swing and a miss, he’s dealing in boundaries currently. Azmat tries to go for the yorker but misses and Maxwell capitalises it and hits it for a FOUR

Noor comes around the wicket for Maxwell but it doesn’t matter as he hammers one through the covers for a four. Making it look easy. The next ball, he labours though the pain and tries to complete a run but after reaching the other side, the fell down in pain and is wincing. Things not looking good. Adam Zampa has walked down the stairs and it looks like Maxwell will be retired hurt. That’s not happening, Zampa walks back up as Maxwell is back on his feet. Five from that over

On the pads from Naveen and Maxwell flicks it away for a four over fine leg. Full next one and Maxwell smacks it straight back for another four, without even moving feet.

This is now the highest partnership for the eighth wicket in ODIs.

Maxwell is struggling with cramps. But that doesn’t stop him from hitting Rashid over long on for a six. But his struggle has only worsened. Maxwell is barely able to run across the pitch to complete a single.

Naveen with another over. Dot to start with. Maxwell hits one to deep mid wicket for a single. Cummins is hell-bent on defending everything thrown at him. A wide gives Australia an bonus runs.

Rashid is back. Maxwell takes a single first ball. Cummins deals with three consecutive balls from Rashid, before taking a single to hand over the strike to Maxwell, who takes another single to retain the strike.

Around the wicket from Nabi and Maxwell takes him on. First with a paddle sweep which fetches him a four. He then thumps one over mid wicket for a six.

THIS IS NOW THE HIGHEST EIGHTH WICKET PARTNERSHIP IN ODI WORLD CUPS

Naveen reintroduced. Can he trouble Maxwell? Over the wicket against the right-hander.

Short from Naveen and Maxwell pulls it for a single. Four more singles to follow, the last one brings up the 200.

Nabi pitches one on the off side and Maxwell crashes it through covers for a four. The Afghans have been clueless against Maxwell, so far. Nabi offeres width again and Maxwell gets it to the cover fence again. FOUR MORE!!

A double first ball against Noor takes Maxwell to 99. A single next ball takes him to hundred. UNREAL KNOCK FROM MAXWELL!!

Noor zings three balls past Cummins’ outside edge. Cummins leaves the last ball to hand over the strike to Maxwell.

Maxwell gets tied up in the first two balls against Mujeeb. He makes room to the leg side, and hits it straight back for a four. He follows it up with a huge six, over long on.

Noor brings in a decent over. No boundaries from it. Three singles from it. He beats Cummins once. But nothing else.

Mujeeb gets an edge out of Maxwell. But it flies past the keeper and it runs away for a four. Is there no end to Mujeeb’s misfortune against Maxwell.

Maxwell and Cummins pull in a three double to close up a brilliant over for Australia.

Maxwell tears into Noor. The first one is smacked over mid wicket. The second flies over long on. He is keeping Australia in this game, single-handedly.

Mujeeb pitches it up and Maxwell pumps him through covers for a four. Fifty-run partnership between Maxwell and Cummins. But Mujeeb holds it tight for the rest of the over. Just a single after that boundary.

Rashid gets a crack at Cummins. He sneaks in a single to get off the strike. Maxwell cuts one ahead of point to take a double. A bye four adds on to Australia’s scores.

Maxwell’s wicket is is the key here, for both sides. Noor continues on. He hasn’t found much success so far. Full and wide and Maxwell picks it over mid off for a four. That is his fifty.

Noor beats Maxwell’s inside edge, but can’t hit the stumps. CLOSE!!

Cummins is taking things slow against Rashid., not considering the fact that it restricts the run-flow. Just one from the over

Maxwell welcomes Noor back with a four. Seven off the over

Full from Rashid, Maxwell brings his bottom hand into play and digs it for a FOUR. Short from Rashid, Maxwell rocks back and tries to loft it but fails to make connection

Noor comes over the wicket and keeps it dstraight for Maxwell, who tries to defend on the front foot, huge appeal and it is GIVEN! MAxwell takes DRS and the replay shows the ball missing wickets! reprive for Maxwell yet again! Full and down the legside, it beats the keeper and runs away for four wides. Maxwell brings out his trademark reverse sweep and collects a four for his effort. MUJEEB DROPS MAXWELL! An absolute sitter as the batter tried to sweep Noor

Rashid continues. Maxwell tries to sweep but gets a top edge and is in the air for a while but a mix-up between Shahidi and Rashid means the ball falls safe. Maxwell survives

Noor concedes just three from his over

Rashid continues. A straight delivery for Starc, he hits it to Rashid and the bowler appeals for a caught and bowled thinking it bounced off Starc’s boot. Umpire goes upstairs but replay shows it indeed pitched on the ground. HOWEVER, IT DOESN’T MATTER AS ALIKHIL POUCHES AN EXTRAORDINARY CATCH on the very next ball! Starc departs! Afghanistan has almost done it and is on its wat to secure a historic win. Wait a minute! Did Starc just walk off without getting contact with the ball? Looks like he has. Pat Cummins is in at nine

Noor is into the attack, replaces Mujeeb. Just two singles from the over

Rashid continues. Slightly full and Stoinis sweeps it for a FOUR. A couple of singles to follow. ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST! Stoinis is trapped leg before and it is given. He opts for a DRS though. He tried to reverse sweep and it drifted down the pads to take Stoinis by surprise. AND THAT’S THREE REDS, STOINIS WALKS BACK. Mitchell Starc is in at eight

Stoinis lbw b Rashid 6 (7b 1x4 0x6)

Mujeeb continues. Full this time and Maxwell slogs it in front of square for a FOUR. Wide outside off and Maxwell powers it through the covers for yet another FOUR. Much needed runs these.

Rashid Khan is into the attack, replaces Azmat. Drama straightaway as a run-out attempt at the strikers end is initiated after Maxwell tried to steal a quick single. Umpire goes upstairs AND HE’s A GONER! Despite a dive, Marnus’ bat was in the air when Rahmat’s throw hit the stumps. Marcus Stoinis is in at seven. At the same stage Afghanistan were 70-1. Maxwell gets a quick single. Straight-ish delivery this time, Stoinis misses to read the line and misses, huge appeal from Rashid and Shahidi goes upstairs. Review shows no contact with the bat but it did hit Stoinis’ pads, umpire’s call! Stoinis survives. Just two from the over

Two dots in two for Mujeeb. Make that five! Maiden from Mujeeb!

Azmat is in to bowl his sixth. Maxwell starts off with a double. On the pads and that’s easy pickings for Maxwell as he guides it fine for a FOUR. Ends the over with a dot

Mujeeb is back into the attack, replaces Naveen. After a dot, Mujeeb goes short and on the pads, Labuschagne flicks it for a single. Huge shout for an LBW but it looked like an inside edge at first glance, Mujeeb is gesturing the same and the replay confirms it. Four from the over

The dot ball trend continues as Azmat bowls four. Slightly short this time, Labuschagne rocks back and slaps it through the legside for a much needed FOUR

Naveen continues. Four dot balls to start. Concedes just one from his over

Azmat to Warner and HE CLEANS HIM UP! A textbook inswinger and Warner misses to read it. Australia in a spot of bother. Josh Inglis is in at five. MAKE THAT TWO IN TWO. INGLIS GOES BACK WITHOUT DISTURBING THE SCORERS! First was an inswinger but this was taken away from Inglis, who tried to tuck it towards the cover fielder but knicks it to Aliklhil. Glenn Maxwell is in at six. DRAMA! Huge shout for a leg before it looked like Maxwell was trapped, umpire says no and Shahidi goes upstrairs. Replay shows Maxwell got an outside edge to it and the decision stays, Afghanistan loses a review. Three slips in place for Maxwell but he guides the ball through covers for a couple of runs

Naveen goes short first up. Labuschagne tucks it to his left for a single. Full and on the up, Labuschagne uses his feet and drives it straight for a FOUR! Six runs from that over

Azmat continues. Pressure mounting on the Aussies as Azmat bowls four dots on the trot. Wild swing from Azmat and Warner gets beaten, the ball misses everything on the way though. Maiden over

Naveen continues. Brings it into Marsh first up and the batter goes through the line and lofts it over Naveen’s head for a FOUR! Marsh has found his groove here, pulls a short ball for a SIX! TRAPPED LEG BEFORE AND HE’S GONE! MARSH DEPARTS! Wonderful inswinger from Naveen and Marsh is beaten for pace! Plumb in front. Marnus Labuschagne is in at four. Naveen brings yet another one inside for Labuschagne, huge shout for LBW but it took an inside edge before crashing onto his pads.

Marsh lbw b Naveen 24 (11b 2x4 2x6)

Azmatullah Omarzai replaces Mujeeb. Full and outside off, Marsh effortlessly drives it through covers for a FOUR to welcome the bowler. Back of the length, Marsh attempts to hoick it on the legside and gets a leading edge but the ball travels over third man for a SIX. Huge over for Australia, 14 came from it

Naveen to Warner. Sloppy work from Noor at point as he lets one through his hands, Warner and Marsh run two. Naveen pitches it straight and angles it slightly away from Warner who is beaten for pace

Mujeeb conitinues. Three singles from the first three balls. Offers width this time and Warner latches on to it, drives it through covers for a FOUR! Seven from that over

Naveen Ul Haq, who replaced Fazalhaq Farooqi, is in to bowl his first. Starts off with a dot to Head. AND HE STRIKES IN HIS SECOND DELIVERY! REMOVES HEAD! Pitches it on the up and moves it away from Head, who tried to play it through offside but it takes an outside edge and lands into the hands of the Ikram Alikhil behind the stumps. Mitchell Marsh is in at three. CHANCE! On the pads to Warner, he tried to flick it but was taken back by pace as it took a leading edge but landed just outside the reach of Rahmat at gully. Outside off this time, Warner anticipates it and slaps it through the point region for a FOUR

Head c Alikhil b Naveen0 (2)

Mujeeb to Warner, too wide for his liking and the batter takes advantage of the width and slaps through covers for a FOUR! What a start to the chase. Mujeeb keeps it tight after the first hiccup, just four from the first over

Afghanistan players have entered the field with David Warner and Travis Head opening the chase for Australia. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will bowl the first over

Milestone watch: Warner needs 45 runs to reach 18,000 international runs

Starc attempts a yorker. Ends up as a full toss. Edged away for a four by Rashid. Dot ball follows. Length ball next. Rashid flat bats it over long off for a six. WHATTA SHOT!!

Bouncer from Starc and Rashid somehow manages it to hit it in front of the square for a six. Unbelievable Six

Afghanistan ends with 291.

Cummins starts with a dot ball against Rashid. Good bouncer. Single brings Zadran on strike. Full, straight ball and Zadran launches it over mid wicket for a six. Cummins moves it to the off side and Zadran crashes it through covers for a four. Gets a couple of runs from the last ball to round of the over.

Starc given the 48th over. Starts with a low full toss, which Rashid can only hit for a single. Full and on the pads against Zadran, who flicks it away for a six. Slow bouncer next up. Zadran nudges it to deep third for a single.

Slow and wide from Starc and Rashid can only guide to Stoinis at deep cover. But he didn’t bring his hands under the ball when he completed the catch. Rashid is safe.

Maxwell around the wicket against a helmet-less Rashid. On the pads and thumped away for a six over mid wicket by Rashid. Maxwell goes wide and and a charging Rashid somehow reaches it to flick it over covers for a four. Oh wait. No ball. Freehit for Rashid. Just a single from it though.

Hazlewood up against Nabi. Short and smashed. HUGE SIX!!!

Hazlewood responds with a full straight one. Clatters on to the stumps. BOWLED!!

Full and on the leg side from Zampa and Zadran pumps it over mid wicket for a six. Afghanistan needs more of this to get to a safe total.

Nabi is the new batter for Afghanistan. He takes a single against Hazlewood to bring Zadran on strike. He is on 99 now. He goes for a risky single to bring up the first ODI WC hundred for Afghanistan.

AFG 216/4 in 44 overs

Zampa tempts Azmat with a full one. He goes after it. No timing there as it flies right into the hands of the long off fielder.

Azmatullah Omarzai c Maxwell b Zampa 22 (18b 1x4 2x6)

AFG 212/4 in 43 overs

Pat Cummins with the 42nd. Starts with a couple of dot balls against Zadran. Third ball of the over, Zadran guides it in front of point to get a couple of runs. Stoinis puts in a great effort to prevent a boundary there.

Zampa gets another go. Zadran and Azmat trade singles. Full from Zampa and Azmat smokes it straight back for a six. Afghan innings is getting a lift off.

Pat Cummins brings himself on. Single from Zadran to bring Azmat on strike. Cummins goes with a bouncer and the ball bouncers off Azmat’s helmet and runs away to the boundary. Length from Cummins and Azmat goes over mid wicket. FOUR MORE!!

Maxwell gets another over. Zadran takes a single to start off the over. Good running by Zadran and Azmat to take a double. Decent over for Afghanistan. Five runs from it.

Shot of the day!!

Pitched up from Starc and new-batter Azmat straight-bats over extra cover for an incredible six. What a shot to get off the mark with.

The pressure of wanting quick runs gets to Shahidi. He jumps out of the crease against Starc, but is instantly squared up by a zoomed-in yorker. BOWLED!!

Hashmatullah Shahidi b Starc 26 (43b 2x4 0x6)

Travis Head gets another over. Starts the over with a couple of singles, followed by two dot balls. The boundaries have dried up for Afghanistan.

Starc goes down the leg side and gifts Afghanistan a wide. Zadran and Shahidi keeps it ticking with easy singles. Another quiet over from the Aussie bowlers.

Zampa with a wild wide down the legside to start his over, Hashmat steals a single as well. Zampa goes short, Hashmat tries to slap it but misses, thankfully for him, the ball hit his thigh pad and he survives

Hazlewood starts his seventh with a couple of dots. Just a couple of singles from that over

Zampa with his fifth over. Starts with three dot balls. Zadran pushes one to long off to get a single. Shahidi too adds a single to close off the over.

Hazlewood up against Zadran now. Two dot balls in. A misfield allows Zadran to get to the other end. Just two runs from the over.

Zampa pitches it up and Zadran smokes it over extra cover for a four. He then sneaks in a singles with a tap to mid off. Zampa goes leg side against Shahidi and it is a wide. Full again from Zampa and Shahidi whacks it straight back for another four. Profitable over for Afghanistan.

Hazlewood returns, Signs of aggression from Shahidi. Steps down against the pacer and tries to pump it to mid wicket fence. Good stop at mid on to prevent a boundary. Couple of runs taken.

Maxwell with his eighth over. Shahidi defends the first ball. He and Zadran trade singles to keep things moving. The objective from Afghanistan is clear - take the innings deep and see from there.

Short from Cummins. Shahidi shuffles to the off and pulls it besides the keeper to get his first four of the day. Cummins goes short again and Shahidi ducks under it. Shahidi takes a single last ball of the over to retain the strike.

Maxwell continues to keep the pressure on. Gives away just two runs from the first five balls. Zadran taps one to deep extra cover to take a couple of runs in the last ball of the over.

Captain Shahidi is the new batter for Afghanistan. Cummins with the 26th over for Australia.

Shahidi starts off with a couple of singles. Unhurried approach from the Afghan batters.

Maxwell continues. AND HE PROVIDES THE VITAL BREAKTHROUGH! GETS RID OF RAHMAT SHAH! Maxwell went towards the legside, Rahmat went across the line and lofted it but can only manage to find Hazlewood at long off. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is in at four

Rahmat c Hazlewood b Maxwell 30 (44b 1x4 0x6)

Marcus Stoinis is into the attack, replaces Head. Just a couple of singles from that over

Maxwell replaces Zampa. Australia is operating with spin but that doesn’t seem to help it. Rahmat and Ibrahim are building a wonderful partnership that is now worth 76 off 89 balls

Head continues. Rahmat comes down the track, uses his feet and clears the infield over mid off fielder to collect a FOUR. Seven from that over

Afghanistan gets to its 100 as Rahmat gets a single. Its first fifty came in 63 balls while the second came in 64. Four from Zampa’s over

Travis Head is into the attack, replaces Starc. Three singles off as many balls

After two dots from Zampa, Rahmat comes down the track and hits it towards the long off fielder for a single. Just three from the over

Rahmat and Ibrahim are chipping away constantly, with 3-4 runs per over and hasn’t let the scoreboard pressure get to them, leading them to play big shots. Width outside off, Rahmat slashes at it and it takes an outside edge but a superb dive from Inglis stops the ball from running towards the boundary. Ibrahim gets to his FIFTY with a FOUR! Starc offered width yet again and this time it took an even thicker edge and ran over the boundary ropes!

Zampa continues. Two singles off the first two balls with the latter coming via a late cut through point from Rahmat. Four from that over

Starc replaces Cummins on the other end. Just three from that over

Adam Zampa into the attack, replaces Maxwell. Two singles off the first two balls. Good start from Zampa, just five singles from that over

Cummins starts off with a dot. Goes short the follwing ball and Ibrahim helps it over the keeper’s head for a FOUR. Seven from that over

Just four singles from Maxwell’s over. Eventhough Afghanistan isn’t scoring runs at brisk pace, the team will be okay with that considering the fact that they aren’t losing wickets

Cummins continues. He keeps it tight and concedes just two from the over

Two runs off the first two balls of Maxwell. Slightly short this time and Ibrahim opens the face of the bat and places it to perfection between point fielders for a FOUR. A double to end the over

Skipper Pat Cummins replaces Hazlewood. Ibrahim welcomes him with a superb cover drive for a four off a pitched up delivery! An unnecessary direct hit attempt lets Ibrahim steal a quick run. Five from that over

After two dots, Ibrahim decides to take the ariel route as he lofts one over the cover fielder but can only manage a double as he doesn’t get the proper connection. Just three from the over

Two consecutive dots from Hazlewood. Short and directed towards his ribs, Ibrahim pulls it towards deep square leg for FOUR! Slightly short this time as well and Hazlewood swings it in for Ibrahim and beats him, huge shout from Inglis and Hazlewood, Cummins opts for DRS. Replay shows the ball brushed past the thigh pad, that’s not out. HAZLEWOOD GIVES THE FIRST BREAKTHOUGH! Gurbaz gets tempted off a short delivery and picks Starc at deep square. Rahmat Shah is in at three

Gurbaz c Starc b Hazlewood 21 (25b 2x4 0x6)

Glenn Maxwell replaces Starc. Two singles from his first three deliveries. Maxwell goes short this time to Ibrahim as he slaps it on the legside but Head does a great job at the edge of the boundary line to restrict it for just a couple of runs

Hazlewood continues. After a quiet first three balls, Hazlewood bowls one short but fails to control it as the ball goes higher than expected, one for the over and it is called a overhead wide. Just three from the over including the wide

Fine-leg inside the circle for Gurbaz as Starc comes in to bowl his third. Couple of singles from the first three balls. Starc goes short this time, with fine leg inside the circle, Gurbaz helps the ball fine past that fielder for a FOUR. Gurbaz finishes the over with a dangerous quick single

Hazlewood starts off with a dot from the other end. On the fourth stump line, Gurbaz places it in between the point and cover fielder for two runs. Full and outside off, Gurbaz gives himself room and smashes it FOUR through covers

Starc continues. Swings it back into Gurbaz and takes him by surprise as the ball crashes onto the thigh-pad, muted appeal from Starc but that was definitely missing the wickets. Starc goes straight yet again, Gurbaz shuffles across and flicks it for three runs. Wide outside off, Ibrahim slashes it through the covers for a FOUR to end the over

Josh Hazlewood comes into bowl the second. Starts off with a dot. Pitched up for Ibrahim, he opens the face of the bat to get a quick single. Just the one from that over

The Aussies are out in the middle after a quick team huddle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will open for Afghanistan while Mitchell Starc will start the proceedings with the ball

Hint of inswing from Starc, outside off and Gurbaz gets off the mark with a single. Starc angles it in for Ibrahim, seamed up and swung into the batter, who attempts to defend and misses, CLOSE. On the legs this time and Ibrahim flicks it deep into the legside for three runs. Five runs came from that over

An important clash for both the sides. A win for Australia would mean it qualifies for the semifinal with 12 points in its kitty. Afghanistan, although in contention even with a loss, will look to take the safer route and try to win this, considering its next match is against South Africa. Given the nature of matches in this World Cup at Wankhede, expect this to be a high-scoring affair.

Last three matches at Wankhede saw three 300-plus first innings totals: 399, 382 and 357

Australia:: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil(w), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq

Wicket-Keepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Batters: David Warner(C), Travis Head, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran

All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Azmatullah Omarzai(VC)

Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Rashid Khan

Team composition: AUS 6-5 AFG | Credits left: 7

Afghanistan wins toss and Hashmatullah Shahidi has decided to bat first

One change for Afghanistan: Naveen Ul Haq replaces Fazalhaq Farooqi

Two changes for the Aussies: Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh are in for Steve Smith and Cameron Green. Forced one that for Smith as he continues to suffer from Vertigo problems

Check out what Smith had to say about his fitness ahead of this match by clicking the link below:

Matches played: 3

Australia won: 3

Last result: Australia won by seven wickets (Bristol; 2019)

Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh/Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Cameron Green/Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram AliKhil, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad

An intense battle awaits when Australia and Afghanistan meet in a tournament-defining fixture at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.

While a solitary win from its remaining two fixtures will seal a semifinal berth for Australia, Afghanistan, too, stands a chance if it wins the next two outings and betters its Net Run Rate.

In its previous three ODI outings against Australia - including two in World Cups - Afghanistan lost on every occasion. But this time around, three consecutive wins have breathed life into Afghanistan’s campaign, and it would be desperately hoping to continue its momentum. But it won’t be an easy affair.