In recent times, how many times have we seen Australia coming out with an outstanding talent out of nowhere? Many would remember an unknown commodity named “David Warner” trashing the SA bowlers all over the Melbourne stadium, and what more? He hadn’t played a single First Class match. And everyone knows how good a batsman he is. And not only him, many other include curator-turned-frontline spinner Nathan Lyon, 18 year old (currently 20) wonder kid, Pat Cummins, and more recently, the “million dollar baby” Maxwell.
As his nickname justified, there has to be a reason he was called as the “million dollar baby”. A year ago, Mumbai Indians bought him for one million dollars, out of nowhere which created much speculation, and many more jokes, in the internet. But similar to condition of world class strikers warming the benches in Real Madrid or Chelsea, Glenn Maxwell ended up warming the benches, without making much of an impact.
But there were glimpses of his natural ability to hit the ball. His cameo against RR in the CLT20 finals literally sealed the match for MI. And not to forget, his incredible single handed knock in Sheffield Shield recently was an eye opener for all who were sckeptical against him. Personally, KXIP made a masterstroke by buying him, along with his Australian counterparts Mitchell Johnson and George Bailey.
But his real, coming out of age knock will be his 70 odd runs against a rank Pakistani attack, in a turning pitch. He just blew away the speculations that he cannot play against quality attacks, with one of the best knocks in T20WC this year. Though unfortunately, after his dismissal, Pakistan smelled blood and snatched an incredible victory. But it cannot be denied that Glenn Maxwell has made his mark in international cricket.
He is not exactly in the mould of a test match player, but it has been a recent trend by CA to mould one player accustomed to another role. Just like Steven Smith, who came in as a bowling all-rounder, is a full-fledged middle order batsman now. Now, Glenn Maxwell just might be the key to success for Australia in the sub continent. His natural hitting abilities( do not read it as Afridi-like batting style.), coupled with some gradual off-spinners can be a crucial can be an asset for the Australian team in the coming future.
Watch-out group B teams, Maxwell is getting into his groove.
