"I think sub-continent... hard seem, dry surfaces": Maxwell as Aussies prepare for ICC T20 World Cup
Maxwell was speaking to the reporters ahead of the third T20I against South Africa, which will take place on Saturday, with the series levelled at 1-1.
"I think in the sub-continent, you might be able to get a little bit more out of it as a spinner early on. Especially that new ball, the hard seam, being able to grip on those dry surfaces," Maxwell told reporters in Cairns as quoted by ICC.
"So it might be something we think about heading forward," he added.
Maxwell is no stranger to bowling in the Powerplay, with his standout moment coming in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final in 2023, where he famously dismissed Rohit Sharma, setting the stage for a sixth World Cup win for Australia.
So far in the ongoing T20I series against the Proteas, Maxwell has bowled two overs inside the Powerplay. The all-rounder made a big impact in the second match, claiming two key wickets -- including that of Proteas skipper Aiden Markram.
"I am just as surprised as anyone when I get a wicket. I love getting wickets," he added, just one wicket away from 50 T20I scalps.
While his batting has been inconsistent, Maxwell has taken three wickets in the series so far. In his last 10 T20S, he has taken 10 wickets.
"It is very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I am there to do a job in the Powerplay and I'm trying to execute that as well as I can," he added.
In his last ten T20 matches, he has made 124 runs in nine innings with a best score of 47 and only two scores of 20 or more.
Maxwell also opened up about his floating position in the batting order, having come in at number five in the second T20I after batting at number one in the first. This follows his stint as an opener in four of the five T20Is against the West Indies.
"I have been a bit of a shuffler around the order, up and down. I'm filling holes at the moment," Maxwell said.
"Even during the West Indies series, trying to combat Akeal Hosein (by) going up the top, this series going a little bit lower, trying to manage that back end (of the innings)."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson passes away at 89
Melbourne: Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson passed away at the age of 89 in Sydney, Cricket Australia (CA) reported on Saturday. In a post on X, CA said, "RIP to a true cricket legend. A Test cricketer, captain, coach and national selector - Bob Simpson was a mighty figure in Australian cricket, giving everything to our game. Cricket Australia extends our thoughts and sympathies to Bob's family and friends." Simpson was a key figure in Australia's rise to the top of the cricketing world in the 1990s, and his impact lasted long after he left as a head coach in 1996. Simpson became the full-time coach for Aussies when the Allan Border-led side was facing a massive decline in fortunes and was in the middle of a winless run that stretched out for three years, as per It was the Simpson-Border duo which instilled their mindset in the upcoming crop of Aussie stars such as Steve Waugh, David Boon, Dean Jones and Craig McDermott. Simpson's commitment to training as a coach, in batting and in fielding helped Aussies eventually mark a turnaround and become one of the best sides in the game. One of the biggest highlights of his coaching tenure was winning the 1987 Cricket World Cup hosted by India and Pakistan, defeating arch-rivals England in a closely-contested final by seven runs at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Then, later in 1989, Aussies produced another miracle. In 1989, they arrived on England's shores as "possibly one of the worst sides to ever tour England". The Simpson-Border magic continued on the tour, as they won the six-match series by 4-0 to regain the Ashes. It would serve as a starting point of the Aussies' domination at the marquee series as they won the next eight of them in a row till England brought back the urn home with an iconic series win at their home. They brought back home the coveted Frank Worrell Trophy 20 years later. During his days as a player from 1957 to 1978, he represented Australia in 62 Tests, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, with 10 centuries and 27 fifties in 111 innings and a best score of 311. He also took 71 wickets with the best figures of 5/57. He led Australia in 39 Tests, winning 12, losing 12, drawing 15. He also played two ODIs, scoring 36 runs and taking two wickets. CA chairperson Mike Baird hailed Simpson as one of "the greats" of Australian cricket. "Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket, and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom," said Baird as quoted by "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach." "Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden generation for Australian cricket." "On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket."
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Times of Oman
"He just wants to run in, bowl fast day after day...": Flintoff hails pacer Baker on maiden English call-up
Leeds : Former England captain Andrew Flintoff hailed young pacer Sonny Baker, who earned his maiden call-up to the English side for the ODIs against South Africa at home and T20Is against Ireland away from home. Flintoff, who is the head coach of England's developmental Lions squad, was the one who handed Baker his first-class debut during the tour to Australia back in 2025. During the tour, he took eight wickets in two matches. Speaking to Sky Sports, Flintoff, coaching Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, said, "Sonny Baker has been announced in the squad. Unbelievable." "He came in, we gave him his first-class debut in Australia. Runs in, bowls quick, but what a joy to work with. He is just a cracking lad. He writes everything down, he hangs on your every word." "He just wants to run in, bowl fast day after day. As a coach of the Lions, that is what you want to see," he concluded. During the ongoing The Hundred, Baker has four wickets in four games at an average of just over 23 for Manchester Originals. England have announced their squads for the limited-overs series against South Africa and Ireland. With the red-ball leg of the home summer behind them, England will next feature in three ODIs and as many T20Is against the Proteas starting September 2 in Headingley. The home series will be followed by a three-match contest against Ireland in Malahide from September 17. Harry Brook, who was appointed England's white-ball captain after the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, will continue to lead in the home series against South Africa. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell has been named skipper for the tour of Ireland, with Brook rested for the three-match T20I series. England squads: For South Africa ODIs: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith For South Africa T20Is: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Chris Woakes shares key injury update ahead of Ashes
London: After a gruelling Test series against India, England shift their attention to the Ashes in Australia later this year, and all-rounder Chris Woakes has conceded positive news with regards to his recovery, as per the official website of ICC. The news would come as a positive for England, who have another five-Test series assignment against arch-rivals Australia starting November 21. Woakes, who sustained a dislocated shoulder while fielding during the fifth Test against India earlier this month, believes he's recovering better than he anticipated. "Certainly good news for me. That's the best way to look at it," Woakes told Sky Sports, as quoted from the official website of ICC. "Obviously out of the sling and feel like I can move it a lot better now, which is good two weeks down the line," he noted. "I suppose once you get a little bit more movement into it, feels little bit more normal. But still a lot of work to do," he added. "Going to try and (stay) focused on the rehab and get it as strong as possible. Ideally, not for surgery for now, but we'll see how that goes, and hopefully we can get it nice and strong again," Woakes said. Woakes had picked up a nasty injury on the opening day of the series decider against India at The Oval.
