Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has backed Glenn Maxwell to rediscover his touch and make a telling impact at next month’s T20 World Cup, despite the all-rounder enduring a difficult Big Bash League (BBL) season.
Maxwell struggled for form in the BBL, managing just 76 runs at an average of 15.20 and picking up only two wickets for the Melbourne Stars, while also enduring a tough time in the field. The 35-year-old has been rested for Australia’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan but is set to rejoin the squad in Sri Lanka ahead of their T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on February 11.
Ponting, however, believes Maxwell’s history of delivering on the biggest stages makes him a strong bet to bounce back. “He can because he always has. I’ve coached him a lot and he’s a really hard player to read what’s going to happen because he can have a week of the best training you’ve ever seen and then come out and it does not happen. And he could have the world’s worst week leading into a game and come out and do something crazy,” Ponting was quoted as saying by The West Australian.
While acknowledging that age can play a role, Ponting feels the World Cup environment could bring out the best in Maxwell once again. “If the edge starts to come off, it’s hard to find it and replace it. But if anything’s going to bring it out of him, a World Cup will. 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.”
Ponting expects Maxwell to feature in Australia’s opening match against Ireland, even though recent form alone may not justify selection. Australia are grouped with Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Oman in Group B.
“You couldn’t pick him on form at the moment because of what everyone else in that squad has done through the BBL. But they’ll pick him because of his experience and probably because of the conditions as well.
“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. A bit of soft opposition early on and some runs and wickets under his belt, that might hold him in good stead for the back half,” he added.
Ponting also spoke about Steve Smith’s prospects, suggesting the veteran batter would be next in line should Australia suffer an injury during the tournament. Smith enjoyed an outstanding BBL campaign, scoring 299 runs at an average of 59.80 in six matches, including a century, following strong Ashes performances that featured two half-centuries and a hundred.
“His numbers stack up better than anybody else’s. But when you’ve been out and the side’s had some success, and Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are the incumbents, it’s hard to push one of those two guys out of an opening slot.
“And poor Steve has probably been pigeonholed as an opening batsman only in the T20 game, which probably has held him back a little bit in the last few years as far as selection is concerned. But he’s only one little injury away. He’s the next cab off the rank and he’s ready to go.”