ODI World Cup: Glenn Maxwell gains confidence in bowling form

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is feeling assured about his bowling prowess as he prepares for the Men’s ODI World Cup. Maxwell, known for his explosive batting, recognizes the importance of his part-time off-spin in the tournament and believes he now has a clear understanding of his role on the field.

Maxwell, who arrived in India later than his teammates due to an ankle injury, showcased his cricketing versatility in a warm-up match against Pakistan. He contributed both with the ball, taking 1-34 from eight overs, and with the bat, smashing 77 runs off 71 balls, including six sixes, helping Australia secure a 14-run victory.

Just a week before the warm-up game, Maxwell had delivered a career-best bowling performance, claiming figures of 4-40 off 10 overs in a consolation victory over India in Rajkot. His part-time off-spin is expected to form a crucial spin partnership with leg-spinner Adam Zampa during the World Cup, which commences with Australia’s first match against India on October 8 in Chennai.

Maxwell on his bowling

Maxwell expressed his confidence in his bowling, saying, “The ball’s coming out as well as it ever has. I’m probably at that place in my career where I don’t need to train as much with my bowling; I’ve just got a real nice clarity about how it’s coming out and what I need to do.” Regarding his fitness to manage both batting in the middle-order and bowling his allotted ten overs of off-spin, Maxwell assured, “There’s always that weariness I suppose mentally: ‘How’s it going to go tonight?’ But once I get moving, I’m absolutely fine. We tested a few things out.”

Maxwell against Pakistan

He elaborated on his preparations, saying, “I had two different spells out in the field (against Pakistan) and bowling as well just to see how the ankle reacts when it is put under a bit of duress. My warm-up is probably a little bit more structured these days. I used to just run out and go 100 per cent and I was fine. But (now) there’s a little bit more thought around how much time I spend out there in the warm-up and certain little drills I have to do. For me personally, that was a perfect test to see how it goes under different bits of duress.”

Maxwell’s experience of playing in India

Maxwell also drew confidence from his extensive experience of playing in India, believing that it would provide him and the Australian team with an advantage. He stated, “It’s been a place I’ve traditionally batted pretty well in. I feel like most of our side has had so much experience and so much time over here. You’re used to the cultures and used to the little intricacies that come with being a tourist over here.” He further added, “It doesn’t feel as much as a home advantage (for India) as it probably has in previous years, especially the first few years we came over I remember it did feel foreign. I’d say there’s guys here who’d have more than 10 tours to India and spend upwards of three months every year here.”

Maxwell concluded by highlighting Australia’s relaxed approach to the tournament, saying, “It’s not as foreign, and it feels like an open World Cup where anyone can win, and these conditions might bring everyone in as well. We’re going out there just trying to play our best cricket on the day, and if it doesn’t quite work, then (we’ll) turn up the next game and try to do the same thing. I think (that’s) probably relaxed everyone a little bit.”

As Australia gears up for the Men’s ODI World Cup, Maxwell’s multifaceted contributions, both with the bat and ball, are expected to play a crucial role in their campaign.