On this day: Birth of the Australian ‘Big Show’, Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell – one of Australia’s finest big-hitters, a delight to watch, an electric fielder. Someone who showed a lot of promise in his initial years in international cricket. Maxi belongs to a rare species of batsmen who can clear any cricket ground in the world. As Australia’s ‘Big Show’ brings in his 32nd birthday today, let’s revisit the cricketing journey of the power-hitter.
A domestic giant
Maxwell began his cricket journey in 2009 with Victoria in Australia’s domestic circuit. He soon became a prominent member of the side in the limited-overs format. Maxwell registered the fastest fifty in the history of the Australian domestic one-day tournament, now known as the Marsh One-Day Cup. In 185 List A matches and 278 T20 matches, he has smashed 4,948 and 6,074 runs and has taken 94 and 98 scalps respectively.
His excellent records in the domestic circuit earned him a place in the Australian national team. He made his ODI debut against Afghanistan in 2012 in the UAE, while his T20I debut came on the same tour against Pakistan. Maxwell was chosen in Australia’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2013 but couldn’t secure more runs. However, he bounced back in the ICC World Twenty20 2014, smashing 147 runs at a whopping strike rate of 210. He was also picked in ICC’s Team of the Tournament.
The golden year
2015 was a golden year for Maxwell as he was a vital cog in Australia’s win in that year’s World Cup. He finished with three fifty-plus scores in six innings. Maxwell also registered the fastest century by an Australian in ODIs and second-fastest century in World Cup cricket. With this performance, he entered into the Top 10 of the ICC ODI Rankings for batsmen. Following his splendid performance, he was presented with the Allan Border Medal for the Men’s T20I Player of the Year by Cricket Australia.
In his glorious international career of 9 years, the hard-hitter has featured in 113 ODI games and 64 T20 fixtures amassing 3,063 and 1,609 runs respectively. He also made notable contributions with the ball by taking 50 ODI and 28 T20 wickets in 133 and 64 matches respectively.
T20 stalwart
Though the Australian Stalwart has excellent international records, his journey in the Indian Premier League has been quite eventful. Glenn got his first IPL contract from Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals) as a replacement in the 2012 season. The following year, he became the most expensive player in the auction when Mumbai Indians bought him for $1 million US (INR 53,685,500). However, his performance was far from impressive. In 3 matches, he could score only 36 runs and MI consequently released him.
The 2014 IPL season has been his best run in the competition so far. He finished as Kings XI Punjab’s highest run-getter with 552 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 136 including 5 fifties. Since then his form has been on the decline as he could never replicate his 2014 performance. He returned to the Delhi franchise in 2018 before finally shifting base to Punjab for the 2020 edition. Maxwell’s six-hitting ability has been on full display, particularly in Australia’s premier T20 competition, the Big Bash League.
While he may currently be struggling to find form, Maxwell continues to be a bowler’s nightmare. With three major ICC tournaments lined up, Maxi will be eager to cement his place in the national team.
