Glenn Maxwell: “I feel like I’ve made big strides this summer, both technique-wise and mentally”
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Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell admitted that he was “extremely disappointed” to be dropped for the upcoming ODI series against England, but added that he “understood” the reasoning behind it.
Upon announcing the team for the ODI series, Australia captain Steve Smith said Maxwell had to “train a little bit smarter”.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that Maxwell’s ‘Big Show’ nickname has hindered his ability to live up to expectations.
However, Maxwell knows that he has failed to reap the rewards in ODI cricket as of late as in his last 20 matches, he has only passed fifty in two of his 16 innings.
“I was extremely disappointed not to be in that one day side, but I completely understood the reasoning from Trevor Hohns that my last 20 ODIs haven’t been good enough,” Maxwell told cricket.com.au. “That was the phone call I received. You can’t really say too much to that.
“I’m sure there’s other stats that probably say that maybe I was a little bit stiff, but there’s stats that say it was my time to be left out. I can’t do too much about it now.”
Maxwell, who is currently playing for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, and has been in good form with the bat throughout the Australian summer.
The 29-year-old is hoping that the national selectors are taking notice of his more mature and composed style of play as he has often been criticised in the past for his hit-out-or-get-out approach.
“I feel like I’ve been in good form this summer and I was hoping that would get me the nod,” he said. “They (selectors) asked me to go away and make runs and I tried to pile them on. I tried to change certain things and change certain perceptions.
“I felt like I went a long way to doing that by being the leading run scorer (in the Shield) heading into Christmas. Even at the start of this Big Bash, I’ve played a lot more sensible, I’ve tried to be the rock for our team. I feel like I’ve made big strides this summer, both technique-wise and mentally.”
With Hohns confirming that the selectors are looking to put together a core group of players for the 2019 World Cup, Maxwell is hoping to stay on the selectors’ radar and regain his spot in the ODI squad when Australia travel to England for a five-match ODI series in June.
“Hopefully I can get on that plane to England and play over there and put my name forward for the 2019 World Cup,” he said. “That’s the good side of it – I got dropped now and not at this time next year before the World Cup when there’s less time to put your name forward. There’s still time.”