Glenn Maxwell

A devastating middle order batsman and useful spin option, woefully underused by Australia in Tests... the Big Show has the capacity to win games of cricket by himself

The Cricketer | 03/05/2019 at 11:58

Born: October 14, 1988

Role: Right-hand bat, right-arm offspin

A key member of Australia’s middle-order, Glenn Maxwell is one of the fastest scoring batsmen in world cricket as evidenced by the fact he currently has the second highest career strike rate in ODIs and the third highest in T20Is.

However, playing the way Maxwell does also comes with a real risk and, despite his unique ability to change a game in the blink of an eye, he has been dropped in the past for a lack of consistency.

Given the mandate by coach Justin Langer to “score more hundreds”, Maxwell has now surprisingly found himself batting at number seven in the recent ODI series against India and, although he responded well to the role by averaging 42.50, it leaves you wondering whether his talents are being wasted so low down in the batting line-up.

A gun fielder and a useful off spinner as well, Maxwell is a top all-round performer and he recently enjoyed an excellent Big Bash campaign with Melbourne Stars.

As their new captain, Maxwell responded to the extra responsibility brilliantly and guided the Stars all the way to the final having earned them an initial semi-final berth in the tournament’s last group game with an electric 82 off 43 against Sydney Sixers.

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