Ponting Confident Maxwell Can Turn Form Around at T20 World Cup
Australian cricket icon Ricky Ponting has thrown his support behind star allrounder Glenn Maxwell, believing he can reignite his form at the upcoming T20 World Cup despite a challenging recent period. Maxwell has been omitted from Australia's three-match T20 series against Pakistan as part of workload management, following a disappointing Big Bash League campaign.
Recent Struggles and World Cup Preparation
Maxwell's performance in the BBL was notably below his usual standards. Representing the Melbourne Stars, he managed only 76 runs across 11 matches, averaging a modest 15.20, with just two scores reaching double figures. His bowling yielded only two wickets at an expensive average of 69.50, and he even uncharacteristically dropped catches in the field.
Despite these struggles, Maxwell will join the Australian squad in Sri Lanka ahead of their World Cup opener against Ireland on February 11. Ponting, who has coached Maxwell extensively, highlighted the player's unpredictable nature and potential for brilliance.
Ponting's Analysis and Expectations
"He can because he always has," Ponting stated, emphasising Maxwell's proven ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. "I've coached him a lot and he's a really hard player to read. He can have a week of the best training you've ever seen and then come out and it not happen. And he could have the world's worst week leading into a game and come out and do something crazy."
Ponting pointed to several factors that could aid Maxwell's resurgence:
- His extensive experience, including playing in Australia's 2021 T20 World Cup victory.
- Spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka, which suit his batting and bowling style.
- A relatively "soft" early opposition in Group B, featuring Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Oman.
"If anything's going to bring it out of him, a World Cup will," Ponting added. "He's had some pretty amazing moments in World Cups in the past and hopefully for Australia's sake he can have a few more over the next few weeks."
Selection Considerations and Age Factor
Ponting acknowledged that Maxwell's recent form would not typically warrant selection, given the strong performances of other squad members in the BBL. However, he expects the selectors to include him based on his experience and suitability to the conditions.
"They'll pick him because of his experience and probably because of the conditions as well," Ponting explained. "He's probably going to be facing a lot of spin bowling and he'll give the option to be able to bowl some as well. They've got some pretty easy games and that might be just exactly what he needs to get himself into some touch."
Ponting also noted that age could be a consideration for the 37-year-old Maxwell, warning that "if the edge starts to come off, it's hard to find it and replace it." Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about Maxwell's potential impact.
Backup Plans and Steve Smith's Role
In related news, Ponting endorsed veteran batsman Steve Smith as the prime replacement should any injuries occur among Australia's batters before the World Cup. Smith impressed in the BBL with 299 runs at an average of 59.80, including two fifties and a century, in what Ponting described as a "ridiculous" patch of form.
"His numbers stack up better than anybody else's," Ponting said. However, he acknowledged that Smith faces selection challenges, being "pigeon-holed as an opening batsman only in the T20 game," with incumbents Travis Head and Mitch Marsh holding those positions. "But he's only one little injury away. He's the next cab off the rank and he's ready to go."
