Who would have thought Glenn Maxwell could ever be described as a consistent contributor in the middle order for the Australian cricket team.
More often we use the words, explosive, unpredictable, innovative and downright outrageous to describe the man known as the Big Show, but certainly not consistent.
Surprisingly, in 2015, Australia’s top-ranked ODI batsman is Maxwell. This has come off the back of his more-than-decent performances at the World Cup.
This year Maxwell has averaged well over 40 with the bat. He hasn’t performed too shabbily with the ball either with an average under 30.
Yes, I am going out on a bit of limb here. Our man Maxwell hasn’t been the full definition of consistent when you look at his recent scores, but on the pitch he has introduced a newfound, sensible style to his batting.
The Big Show has kept the reverse sweep and other less traditional cricket shots further up his sleeve during the current limited overs series in England.
This was highlighted by his classical innings in the only Twenty20, where he scored 44 from 32 deliveries. His knock did include one or two full-blown slogs, but none of his usual trick shots.
When he first cracked the ODI team back in 2012, Maxwell said he could be the team’s x-factor. This probably meant he had the potential to belt the ball over the fence when the team needed it, and also when they didn’t.
It probably didn’t mean Maxwell accumulating runs and consistently adding 40 runs or more to the team’s total.
But the great thing is, despite the all-rounder playing more traditionally, he still piles on runs at a rate of knots. Maxwell almost always scores at quicker than a run a ball, as his career strike rate of 126.08 shows.
The next question for Maxwell to answer is whether he can convert his solid starts into big scores on a regular basis.
I certainly think he can, including when the pressure is on, but it’s up to the man himself to put the runs on the board.
Bearfax
Guest
Is it possible they will play Maxwell and SOK with three quicks. We can dream but its unlikely. These selectors like their three vegetables, one piece of meat and one dessert (3 fast bowlers, one spinner and an all rounder). They like the old fashioned balance meal with no trimmings. Spaghetti?, Rice? Noodles?...forget it.
James T
Guest
Is it possible the test team will play maxwell as all rounder with four quicks
Really
Guest
The problem is averaging under 40 in anything other then t20 makes you a bad batsman. Even in t20s openers should be close to 40. Glen maxwell has come on well for the one day side and is doing a good job. But he still has a lot left to prove as a batsman. His bowling has come along well enough though. As a test player he probably won't get a look in as his bowling is too similar to Nathan Lyon and his batting isn't good enough to be considered ask specialist
Andrew
Guest
Watch out for maxie, Khawaja and agar to make big impacts this summer
Bearfax
Guest
Thaing is he hasnt had many chances at all. He's played 3 tests, two together in early 2013 and one in 2014. hardly what I would call being given a chance. Potentially I think Maxwell would make a devastating test cricketer, but at the moment he is seen, like Bevan was, as a one day specialist. I hope he gets to play a full Shield season 2015-16, because he needs that to show his worth. His average is only 40.4 in first class cricket, but then he's played little first class cricket in the past few seasons because of his one day matches At 26 he is at the age when he should be moving up the ranks, but he has to be given the opportunity. His last three first class innings for Yorkshire this year were 36, 140, 43 which is pretty encouraging.
Joel
Roar Rookie
I think Dizzy has had a big effect on the way Maxwell has been batting for the last few games in a row. His time at Yorkshire seems to have done some real good in simplifying his game and limiting his shot selection.
matth
Guest
Further to my last post, here are the stats for the only players who come close: AD Russell (WI) 50 matches 42 innings 9 not out 944 runs 92* highest 28.60 average 129.49 strike rate GJ Maxwell (Aus) 53 49 6 1450 102 33.72 126.08 CJ Anderson (NZ) 35 31 5 918 131* 35.30 123.38 L Ronchi (Aus/NZ) 60 47 7 1050 170* 26.25 121.80 Shahid Afridi (Pak) 398 369 27 8064 124 23.57 117.00
Don Freo
Guest
Jj...you are usually on the money but not this morning. Maxi has been great. I think he could easily be a test regular by the end of the year. He is one of those blokes that is 30 or 40 no before you realise it and all that gets noticed is the one or two audacious shots that didn't come off. He's almost worth it for his fielding alone.
matth
Guest
I've said it before. There are not too many in history who have the combined average and strike rate stats that Maxwell possesses. He is the only player in history to score over 1,000 runs in ODI's at an average over 30 and a strike rate over 125. Corey Anderson of NZ is approaching the 1,000 run mark with a slightly better average but slightly worse strike rate. Similarly Andre Russell of the West Indies, but he has a significantly lower average (although a higher strike rate). Maxwell is also the only player with a career strike rate over 125 to ever score a century in an ODI. To demonstrate how rare this type of player is, if you look at career strike rates. Maxwell and Russell are the only two players with career strike rates above 125, to have even score over 200 career runs. That is amazing. And (like Anderson and Russell) he bowls. And he is an electric fielder. The Big Show is almost unique.
Rob JM
Guest
If his current form is d- then he clearly needs to be in the test team on potential!
Jarijari
Guest
He's had plenty of chances Maxie but doesn't really look the goods, even ordinary bowlers seem to have his measure. Needs to go back and work on his technique, get some runs in the domestic one-dayers and Shield, and work on his bowling. About a D-minus at the moment. And he's a Victorian.