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India Gazette
3 days ago
- Entertainment
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Glenn Maxwell: A six-hitting, record-setting Aussie maverick peaking at World Cups
New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell retired from ODI cricket following a glittering 149-match career spanning over a decade as one of the format's most exhilarating performers, who could twist and turn games like a roller-coaster with each swing of the bat. The 36-year-old has lived a contrasting life as an international cricketer in eyes of many. So much talent, but yet patches of inconsistency. Exciting to watch, but yet frustrating at times. A match-winner, but yet someone who could lose it sometimes within an instant. If anything, Maxwell's career has taught fans never to measure his accomplishments on basis of sheer numbers and consistency, but on how much impact he managed to make when he truly took a moment and seized it. While 3,990 runs in 149 matches and 136 innings at an average of 33.81, with four centuries and 23 fifties and 77 wickets might look ordinary to some, there are some metrics and records that truly go under-the-radar. In these numbers lies a match-winner that Maxwell has truly been. Having batted at a variety of positions from one to eight, Maxwell's career never had to be about volume, but rather explosiveness. Its his eye catchy bat swing, audacious reverse ramps, sweeps and pulls that made Maxwell the 'Showman', which is also the rightful title of his autobiography. A bizzare, head-scratching first-ball duck or an explosive century that left fans wanting for more and trying to give their eyes and jaws some rest, Maxwell's batting was as they say in Gen Z slang: Absolute Cinema! -Entertainment over numbers! As per Wisden, he has scored the fifth more runs for Australia while batting at positions five or below and has had the best strike rate while going at it (123.36). All his four ODI centuries have come from position five or below, with one at number five, two at six (Yes! Including a double ton) and one at number seven. Only legendary Andrew Symonds (6) has more centuries in the same role, as per Wisden. Maxwell's striking power has been one of the most ridiculous parts of his game. Among batters with at least 1,000 ODI runs, he has the best strike rate ever for Australia (126.70). Only West Indies (WI) all-rounder Andre Russell (130.22), while playing almost 1/3rds less innings and matches than the Aussie (56 ODIs and 47 innings). The fact that Maxwell sustained his game for so long only adds to his legend. Among the players with atleast 150 ODI sixes, only 17 out of hundreds or thousands to have played the format, his six-hitting ability stands out. His sixes-to-innings ratio of 1.13 is only bettered by Indian opener Rohit Sharma (1.29). He is in the elite company of proper top-order stars like Chris Gayle, Martin Guptill and Jos Buttler as a true middle-order maverick. For him, it was not about delivering numbers, but how fast he could do it, as much as possible. -Reliable in Asia The all-rounder thrived in Asian conditions, a region frustrating for so many greats. Plenty of legends could never really figure out batting against spin in hot, humid, sticky weather on spinny dustbowls. But Maxwell delivered fine numbers in this region, with 1,533 runs in 46 matches, 44 innings at an average of 40.34, strike rate of over 131, with two centuries and nine fifties. Half of his tons have come in Asia. His iconic double ton against Afghanistan during 2023 World Cup while chasing 292 single-handedly battling cramps, back spasm and heat is all one needs to watch to get acquainted with how he unlocked the next level of his batting in Asia. -A World Cup hero for Australia Maxwell has been a two-time World Cup winner, in 2015 and 2019. When he wore the WC medal for the first time in 2015 at home, he carried along with it 324 runs in six innings he could be really proud of. They came with an average of 64.80 and strike rate of 182.02. Even other two top-scorers, David Warner and Steve Smith could not mix consistency with madness like this. Against Sri Lanka, he smashed a 51-ball ton from number five, then the second-fastest WC ton and fastest by an Aussie. Along with fifties against England and an up-and-coming Afghanistan, he delivered a quickfire 14-ball 23 versus India in semis, which battered them a little more. While he could deliver just 177 runs in 10 innings during the 2019 WC at an average of just 22.13 with best score of 46* against SL, his strike rate was still impressive at 150.00. During the 2023 WC in India, it is impossible not to mention his 201* in 128 balls against an inspired Afghanistan which took Aussies from 91/7 to a miraculous victory. The resillient in face of bodily pain, mental anguish and heat was such that several fans who loved themselves an underdog story of the 'Rise of Afghanistan' switched their allegiance to yellow colours just to see Maxi's meditative effort on the pitch pay off. Also in Delhi against Netherlands, he broke the record for fastest WC ton of Aiden Markram (49 balls), smashing it in 40 balls against Netherlands while coming in the 40th over! The all-rounder's record breaking ways met a fitting conclusion as winning runs from his bat guided Australia to their sixth title against a rampaging India, which suddenly looked so mortal and powerless in front of a packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Maxwell ended the tournament with 400 runs in nine innings at an average of 66.67, strike rate of above 150 with two centuries, ending as team's third-highest run-getter above accumulators like Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who could not cross 400-mark. Three of his four ODI tons came in World Cup, highlighting his big tournament ability. He struck 43 sixes for Australia in the tournament history, highest from his country and third-best behind Chris Gayle (49) and Rohit Sharma (54). His strike rate of 160.32 in 25 innings is also the best in marquee tournament's history among batters with atleast five innings. He has scored 901 runs in 25 innings at an average of 47.42 with three centuries and two fifties. A middle-order impact-maker, among those with 20 WC innings atleast between number four to seven, Maxwell is the only one with a strike rate above 100 and average above 50! Maxwell's big knocks created impact, sealed wins as all his four tons and 17 out of his 23 fifties came in wins. Among players batting five or below, his four centuries in winning cause are joint-third best, behind Jos Buttler, Symonds and Tom Latham, and equal with AB de Villiers and MS Dhoni among others. -A gun spinner and fielder Maxwell took 77 wickets in his career at an average above 47, with best figures of 4/40 and four four-wicket hauls. These are fifth-highest wickets among tweakers in Australia, with Shane Warne (291), Adam Zampa (187), Brad Hogg (156) and Peter Taylor (97) having more. His four four-fers are only outdone by Warne (12+ one five wicket haul), Zampa (11+ one five wicket haul) and Hogg (three+ two five wicket hauls) among spinners. He is in elite company of four Aussies with over 3,000 runs and 75-plus wickets: Steve Waugh (7,569 runs and 195 wickets), Mark Waugh (8,500 runs and 85 wickets), Shane Watson (5,757 runs and 168 wickets) and Symonds (5,088 runs and 133 wickets). A gun fielder with 91 catches, the seventh-highest, he took 0.61 catches per game, the highest ratio among Aussies with 100 ODI caps. (ANI)
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
World Test Championship: Prize money doubled for Lord's final
Australia or South Africa stand to win a record £2.7m in next month's World Test Championship final at Lord's after the International Cricket Council more than doubled prize money. The runners-up in the one-off match in north London on 11-15 June will bank £1.6m, which is more than the £1.2m the winners of the first two editions received. The move is an attempt to breathe fresh life into a competition that has been derided as 'a shambles' and faces increasing competition from lucrative T20 leagues. 'We have witnessed a very interesting third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, where the finalists were decided only towards the end of the competition,' said ICC chair Jay Shah. 'The championship has showcased remarkable performances from players of different teams, culminating in a final between these two exceptional squads – a true celebration of cricket. 'I am sure spectators at Lord's, along with fans tuning in from all over the world, will be treated to some top-class cricket in this revered format when Australia and South Africa take the field less than a month from now. 'On behalf of the ICC, I extend best wishes to the players of both teams in their preparations for the prestigious match.' South Africa finished their campaign strongly to claim a place in the Lord's final against defending champions Australia, whose defeat of India in January ended the favourites' hopes. India will still receive £1.1m for finishing third in the table, with England picking up £720,000 for their fifth place. Bottom team Pakistan will bank £360,000. The World Test Championship, which operates on a two-year cycle, was created to elevate the five-day format but has received a mixed response. Influential publication Wisden lambasted the competition last month, with editor Lawrence Booth calling it 'a shambles masquerading as a showpiece'. He added: 'The ICC cannot allow the championship to continue as if designed on the back of a fag packet. 'Double its length to four years, like football and rugby, and ensure the top nine in the rankings all play each other, home and away, over series of at least three Tests.' Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"They haven't pressed on my button...": Nortje's bombshell statement on South Africa's selection ahead of WTC final
Johannesburg [South Africa], May 16 (ANI): South African pacer Anrich Nortje dropped a bombshell statement ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, saying that he has been available to play for the last year, but the selectors have not 'pressed on my button'. Nortje last wore South African colours in the ICC T20 World Cup in June last year. Since then, he has been a part of South African squads but has not gotten game time. He was also initially featured in the ICC Champions Trophy squad, but an injury meant he was ruled out and replaced by Corbin Bosch. Speaking on Sportsboom as quoted by Wisden, Nortje revealed that he has infact been available for selection all this time and his omission from the matches is simply down to selectors not picking him. 'I have been available for the last year, from before the World Cup to December, and only got selected again in December to play,' he said. 'There were a few series I was not picked for, mostly to give opportunities to others. So, from my side, I have been available to play for the country, but they have not pressed on my button,' he added. Nortje's return to the squad after T20 WC came during the home series against Pakistan last year, but he did not get any matches despite having a brilliant run at the showpiece event, with 15 scalps at an economy of 5.74, ending as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker with Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Last year, Nortje had declined a central contract with Cricket South Africa, but said that the board backed his decision, and it was about his body. 'It was my decision. It was just to see how my body goes. I had not had a stress fracture since 2010, and I just had a little bit of 'nervy' in the back, so I just wanted to take the time to play when I can, play when I know I am ready, rather than having to play every series or every whatever is coming up,' he said. 'So, to make that decision on my own, according to my body, has been good so far. Still happy with the decision, and it is more just for me to have the calmness and to know that, if I need a break for a week, if I need a break for a month, then I can do that,' he added. Currently, Nortje is representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025, where he has played just one match so far. In international cricket, he has taken 70 wickets in 19 Tests at an average of 26.71, 36 scalps in 22 ODIs at an average of 27.27, and 54 wickets in 42 T20Is at an average of 19.16. (ANI)
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Verma returns to India T20 squad for England tour
India have announced their squads for the white-ball series against England, with opener Shafali Verma making a return to the T20 side. Verma, 21, was dropped from India's squads in November but impressed in the Women's Premier League for Delhi Capitals with 304 runs at a strike-rate of 152.76. However, she remains out of favour in the one-day international side, having not played since October. The experienced Harmanpreet Kaur leads both squads with batter Smriti Mandhana, who was recently named Wisden's leading women's cricketer in the world, her vice-captain. Top-order batter Pratika Rawal, 24, is included in the ODI squad having made a sparkling start to her career by becoming the fastest woman to 500 runs in the format. Seamer Renuka Singh Thakur and spinner Shreyanka Patil both miss out through injuries. The first of five T20s takes place at Trent Bridge on 28 June, and is followed by three ODIs. India's last tour of England came in 2022, with England winning the T20s but losing the ODIs 3-0. The series concluded with Charlie Dean's controversial run out at the non-striker's end by Deepti Sharma at Lord's. India T20 squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare. India ODI squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare. 'I can be one of the girls again' - Knight's new world Ecclestone left out of first Edwards England squad Get cricket news sent straight to your phone
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith and Sophie Ecclestone named among Wisden Cricketers of the Year
England cricket trio Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith and Sophie Ecclestone have been named among Wisden's Cricketers of the Year, the prestigious annual prize awarded to top performers in the English summer. County stars Liam Dawson and Dan Worrall complete the five-strong list, an honour bestowed in the almanack since 1889 and which cricketers can only win once in their career. Ecclestone was a standout performer of a difficult year for England's women, with the left-arm spinner cementing her place at the top of the ODI and T20I bowling rankings. Meanwhile, Surrey pair Smith and Atkinson were the finds of 2024 for England's men, with each taking to Test cricket with ease after making debuts against the West Indies. Seam bowler Atkinson took 12 wickets on his first cap as he helped England's attack sustain itself after the retirement of James Anderson, with the 27-year-old going on to take 52 Test scalps in his first year in international whites. He also made a memorable century against Sri Lanka at Lord's, becoming only the sixth player to have taken five wickets in an innings, 10 wickets in a match, and scored a century at the ground and ended up on all three honours boards. County colleague Smith also adapted quickly to international cricket, having been preferred as England's wicketkeeper to Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow, making his first Test hundred against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford in August. Worrall, meanwhile, joined the pair in helping to underpin Surrey's third consecutive County Championship crown with relentless new-ball incision. The former Australia international is close to England eligibility. Dawson closes the quintet after another excellent season for Hampshire that saw the left-arm spinner again establish himself as one of English cricket's finest all-rounders. Wisden editor Lawrence Booth crowned Indian duo Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana as the leading cricketers in the world, the latter succeeding England's Nat Sciver-Brunt to claim the women's award. West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran was named as the game's leading T20 cricketer. As well as handing out garlands, the prestigious almanack, which is published on Thursday, is seen as a vessel for holding the game's decision makers to account, and Booth takes a strident tone in the prestigious editor's notes. He is scathing about Jay Shah's smooth transition from the most powerful figure in Indian cricket to chair of the International Cricket Council. '(It is) a sorry truth: 2024 was the year cricket gave up any claim to being properly administered, with checks, balances, and governance for the many, not the few,' Booth writes. 'Cricket has handed over the only key not already in India's possession. England and Australia, the only other countries with a hint of clout, acquiesced with barely a squeak. Shah's coronation – uncontested, naturally – was in no small part a consequence of their refusal to hold India to account.' Additional reporting by PA
