Glenn Maxwell Hopeful of Ashes Berth After Change in Batting Technique
Oct 17, 2017 at 5:08 PM
Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell who is known for his exceptional hitting abilities is hoping to improve his defensive technique which would be crucial to his success if he gets a chance at No.6 for the Ashes scheduled to start next month. Ever since scoring a fluent century against India earlier in the year at Ranchi, Maxwell has failed to get past 50 in the next 7 Test innings, and his selection for the upcoming Ashes is far from assured.
Aussie coach Darren Lehmann stated that Maxwell’s No.6 spot is up for grabs and if there are notable performers in the domestic Sheffield Shield in the lead up to the opening Test then Maxwell might well miss the bus for the Ashes. The all-rounder did a self-analysis on how to improve his game and what he saw in the video review didn’t impress him.
“It was a little bit frustrating watching myself back and going ‘I don’t like what I see there’,” he told local media.
”I looked back at a lot of footage and I just noticed a few things creeping into my game. I had a very one-day technique where I was able to work the ball sidewards with my hands. I basically got rid of that and made sure I was holding my shape a lot longer.”
The correction didn’t make any difference as Maxwell returned with low scores against Bangladesh during the two-match series but what the technique has done is that he can soak in a lot more deliveries which he used to do earlier.
“I’ve really honed a technique that can bat a long period of time and I changed a few things technically to make sure I had a solid defence and something that could sustain long periods of pressure,” he said.
“Unfortunately the way I got out was a bit disappointing, to have the ball just sort of crawl over my body and get to the keeper was a bit frustrating, but the work I did throughout that period showed me that was I was doing was the right thing.”
Maxwell was dropped from the final two ODI’s against India after a lean run in the first three matches but former Aussie skipper Steve Waugh is of the opinion that an impact player like Maxwell should always be given a longer run and backed him to come good if the selectors stick with him for the Ashes.
“He’s inconsistent but he’s a match winner and there are not too many of them around,” Waugh was quoted as saying by Australian media.
”If he’s managed the right way he can be a force in test match cricket, there’s no doubt about that. With him he looks like a confidence player so if he gets picked I would say to him ‘you are playing every test match’ and then you will get the benefit.”
Maxwell is well aware of the fact that there are individual contenders for the spot and whoever is in form will be selected.
“There is some good, healthy rivalry for it and whoever plays well, hopefully, they play well during the Ashes,” said Maxwell.
”I think it would be a huge personal accomplishment to hold my spot in the Australian test team after I’ve had a fair few doubters, especially in the long form of the game. So if I could hold my spot for that period of time and beyond, that would be exceptional.”