Glenn Maxwell Shows off a Different Gear to Guide Australia Past Pakistan
Throughout his international career, Glenn Maxwell has been something of a drag racer for Australia: foot to the floor, his vision narrow; unfazed by the danger inherent in such speed.
There are few like him. Perhaps none. Cricket, throughout its history, has rarely catered for his type—the game typically chewing up the ones who live so close to the edge. While most have been taught to treat acceleration with caution, Maxwell has seemingly viewed the sound barrier as a challenge.
It's that quality, that disregard for consequences that has made the him so unique. So compelling. A trail-blazer who's maybe several years ahead of his time.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Yet, it's also been the easiest way to criticise him, too.
His approach has been perceived as reckless. His game has been viewed as shallow. For many, his play lacks the subtlety and layers associated with the sport's finest. Eventually, it had been concluded, he'd endure the sort of fate that all things pushed to maximum do: a remarkable but ultimately short existence.
Friday witnessed a deviation in the script, though. In Australia's comfortable five-wicket victory over Pakistan in Dubai, Maxwell gave a clear indication that there's more to his game than just breathless speed.
This was an innings of patience on a difficult wicket. An innings played against an attack that boasted an impressive Mohammad Irfan and a pair of spinners born to thrive in the conditions on offer.
His arrival at the crease came with Australia delicately placed at 72-3. The target of 216 may have been moderate, but partnered by an out-of-sorts George Bailey and facing a sluggish, spin-friendly strip, the total required felt considerably bigger.
The situation, one felt, wasn't suited to Maxwell. The state of play demanded a performance of nous and composure mixed with a dash of ingenuity—the sort you might expect from Steve Smith. This wasn't the time for brash power.
But after being afforded a life—he was dropped at slip by Umar Akmal on just two—the 25-year-old did just that, reining in his characteristic exuberance to steer Australia out of a spot of bother.
From the first 31 deliveries he faced, Maxwell edged his way to just 18, striking only a pair of boundaries while attempting little more than a regular rotation of the strike. Such an opening was in stark contrast to what we've previously seen from the Australian, with his 22-ball assault that yielded a furious 60 against India in Bangalore last year immediately springing to mind.
Having patiently crafted his own platform, the right-hander found a degree of the acceleration that typically comes so effortlessly. But it was also different in the sense that it was gradual rather than immediate.
A slap over mid-wicket off Ahmed Shehzad quickened the pace a little. A better strike, one that sailed over the fence, off Shahid Afridi followed in the next over. A delightful reverse sweep was next.
When he eased his way to 50 in the 30th over, it marked the first time Maxwell had struck a half-century at less than a run-a-ball in Australian colours.
A pair of boundaries from the bowling of Raza Hasan then sucked the life out of Pakistan, and when Maxwell was eventually dismissed for a fine 76, there was little left to do for Brad Haddin and James Faulkner to take Australia over the line.
"I was just playing my role," the Australian said after his match-winning performance, per ESPN Cricinfo.
"Today I came in a different situation with the ball spinning. [I] just tried to play to the situation and get close to the total. I hope I put in enough performances here and hope to get noticed when Test selection comes in."
Such statements indicate there's a changing mindset for Maxwell, who's been guilty in the past of misreading the situation he referred to. And the eye on Test selection—something he's achieved only twice to date—will demand a different in gear.
On Friday, Maxwell showed he's got one.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
