Glenn Maxwell has put aside any doubts about his selection for Australia’s World Cup squad after displaying an impressive return to form for the Prime Minister’s XI against England in Canberra.
But the all-rounder’s 136 runs from only 89 balls, which lit up the ground at Manuka Oval on Wednesday, was not enough to prevent England defeating the invitational side by 60 runs.
The 26-year-old received a standing ovation from the 8077-strong crowd after being dismissed off a delivery by Stuart Broad.
Maxwell has been struggling in the Big Bash League and has been public about his fears the slump would have cost him a place in the World Cup squad.
He was the starring attraction for the PM’s XI, belting 20 fours and six sixes.
But he was forced to play a lone hand with 18-year-old Jake Doran the home side’s next top score on 37 as they succumbed to be all out for 331 in the 49th over
Broad was the pick of England’s bowlers with 4-40 from 8.1 overs.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, England left the PM’s XI chasing a mammoth 391 runs off the back of a record knock from man-of-the-match Ian Bell.
Bell’s 187 is the highest score by a batsman for England in a 50-over match, with the right-hander belting three sixes and 20 fours in his 145-ball knock.
James Taylor made a watchful 71 for England, as did Moeen Ali, who launched everything at the PM’s XI, including his bat.
Ali, who was was later dismissed off the bowling of Maxwell, lost control of the willow, sending it flying towards square leg while trying to dispose of a Simon Mackin delivery.
Jason Behrendorff was the best of the PM XI’s bowlers with 4-79 from his 10 overs.
Maxwell’s World Cup squadmate Pat Cummins didn’t fare so well, going for 0-52 off his six overs and hitting 27 off 28 balls with the bat.
Cummins said he hoped Maxwell would continue his “fearless” form for Australia’s tri-series and World Cup campaigns.
“We all know what he’s capable of,” he told reporters after the game.
“For him to go out and do that is phenomenal.
“He needs that confidence to go out and be quite fearless and hopefully he can carry on that good form.”
Bell said Maxwell’s “brilliant” performance has put him squarely in the eyes of the English side in upcoming clashes.
“It shows the ability that he has,” the Englishman said.
“If he plays in the tri-series and World Cup the team’s going to have to close him down pretty quick.”
Bell said the English side couldn’t have asked for a better preparation ahead of Friday’s tri-series opener.
“Template-wise, today – it was perfect,” he said.
England have put its disappointing Ashes campaign last summer behind them and was making good strides forward, he said.
“There are not many guys in that dressing room from that Test series,” he said.
“This is a new group and a group that has moved on, really.”
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