Glenn Maxwell Targets Bigger Powerplay Bowling Role Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Going forward, Glenn Maxwell has planned to play a more significant part as Australia's opening bowler. For a while now, Maxwell has been available as a Powerplay option for franchises and country games. The star all-rounder has a reputation for hitting the cricket ball hard and fiercely, but his skill with the ball has never truly been on display. But he's determined to change that and help Australia in difficult times.

In both T20Is against South Africa in Darwin, Maxwell, 36, has bowled two overs inside the powerplay. In Tuesday's match, he even got rid of captain Aiden Markram. Having famously removed Rohit Sharma in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad, Maxwell is no stranger to bowling in power play.

Glenn Maxwell's New-Ball Role:

He alluded to the duty and expressed his desire to take full use of it. Maxwell also wants to bowl inside the powerplay overs, which may be difficult at times given the shifting dynamics of hitters in the game's shortest format. This is because the T20 World Cup will be played in spin bowling-friendly conditions in India and Sri Lanka next year.

Maxwell said, "I think in the subcontinent, you might be able to get a little bit more out of it as a spinner early on. Especially that new ball, the hard seam, being able to grip on those dry surfaces. So it might be something we think about heading forward. I'm just as surprised as anyone when I get a wicket. I love getting wickets. It's very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I'm there to do a job in the power play, and I'm trying to execute that as well as I can." Maxwell's versatility with the bat has also been demonstrated. Maxwell, who started the T20I series in the West Indies, started the series against South Africa at number seven and went up to number five in the second game.

He added, "I'm just as surprised as anyone when I get a wicket. I love getting wickets. It's very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I'm there to do a job in the Powerplay, and I'm trying to execute that as well as I can. I've been a bit of a shuffler around the order, up and down. I'm filling holes at the moment. Even during the West Indies series, trying to combat Akeal Hosein (by) going up the top, this series is going a little bit lower, trying to manage that back end. (I'm) trying to play whatever role is needed for me on this side and just try and be as adaptable as possible."

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