Since he may have to bowl with the new ball on spinner-friendly surfaces for the T20 World Cup in the Indian subcontinent next year, the dynamic Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is honing his spin-bowling techniques to become more effective in the powerplay overs.
India and Sri Lanka will co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup, and if fully fit, the spin-bowling all-rounder would probably play for Australia, which hopes to win the trophy again after losing it in 2021.
Wearing multiple jerseys, Maxwell has been a consistent player in the Indian Premier League. His most successful stints were with Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he excelled as a devastating batter who could use the ball to change the outcome of a match.
Despite his skill as a bowler, Maxwell has only bowled five powerplay overs overall in the shortest format between the current home series against South Africa and the 2022 T20 World Cup.
However, since the new ball holds the subcontinent’s wickets more securely, the 36-year-old believes he might be useful in powerplay overs during the T20 World Cup.
“I think in the subcontinent you might be able to get a little bit more out of it (wicket) as a spinner early on,” Maxwell was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “Especially that new ball, the hard seam, being able to grip on those dry surfaces. So it might be something we think about heading forward,” he added.
In the second Twenty20 International against South Africa in Darwin, he claimed two wickets, including that of captain Aiden Markram in the fifth powerplay over.
“I love getting wickets. It’s very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I’m there to do a job in the powerplay and I’m trying to execute that as well as I can,” he said.
Maxwell has been at ease playing at any position based on the needs of the team, apart from bowling.
“I’ve been a bit of the shuffler around the order, up and down. I’m filling holes at the moment. Even during the West Indies series, trying to combat Akeal Hosein (by) going up the top, this series (against South Africa) going a little bit lower, trying to manage that back end (of the innings). (I’m) trying to play whatever role is needed for me in this side and just try and be as adaptable as possible,” he added.
