T20 World Cup 2022: Glenn Maxwell's form - a big worry for Team Australia
Defending champions Australia is in full swing for their preparation. Various experimentations, rotation policies, and resting the important ones, but among all, they are carrying one colossal issue- Glenn Maxwell
Image credit: PA Images Glenn Maxwell is giving anxious time to Aussie teamAhead of the World Cup, they play the T20I series against India and West Indies and are now all set to host England. Many surprises and concerns sprung from a recently concluded two-match series against West Indies.
With fitness issues lingering over team players, the management has been doing everything possible to manage the workload of its marquee players. They dropped Steven Smith from the playing XI and demoted Aaron Finch to number four; Cameron Green retained his opening spot, whereas Glenn Maxwell's and Steven Smith's forms raised concerns.
Struggling Glenn Maxwell - A big issue for the Aussies
Glenn Maxwell, an all-rounder, has been a game-changer for Australia on various occasions, without a doubt. The kind of batting prowess he owns is a stand apart quality of the batter. But currently, he is caught in a slump and failed to do justice to his role of bailing Australia out of challenging situations on many occasions.
In the three-match T20I series against India, he returned with figures of 1, 0, and 6, and even remained wicketless. Following this, he scored 0 and 1 against West Indies in his backyard, again remaining wicketless. Apart from T20Is, in the last six ODI innings, the all-rounder has scored only 44 runs, adding plenty of weight to worry surrounding his form.
The main triggering point in the two matches against West Indies was his poor shot selection. Looking at his wicket Mark Waugh said, "It's a poor shot."
"There's no doubt about it, Glenn Maxwell's form for Australia in the last 12-15 months is not where it should be. He's been short on runs and that's a loose shot - there's no other way to describe it," he added.
Australia - going strong with its experimentation
Australia now has a three-match T20I series scheduled with England. The team management has rested him for the first T20I and will test other all-rounders in their talent pool and squad for the World Cup.
The likes of Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, and Tim David form an unbeatable trio which can make the Australian team look formidable and extremely attacking. They also have a possible option in Ashton Agar to replace Glenn Maxwell if his form worries continue, he also has been given a chance in the first T20I against England.
Skipper Aaron Finch has already dropped himself to the number four spot, and with Steven Smith already struggling, it is imperative that Glenn Maxwell finds his form and get back amongst the runs.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, and Glenn Maxwell have been rested against England in the first T20I, which will commence on 9 October. The Aussies have played it safe with their prized bowlers, as well as Glenn Maxwell, who is not in the best form but is the only fully fit all-rounder in the World Cup squad.