Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has backed all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to find his rhythm at the T20 World Cup 2026. Even though Maxwell has struggled in recent months, Ponting believes World Cups always lift players when it matters the most.
Ponting feels the pressure of a global tournament can help Maxwell regain his form. Speaking to The West Australian, he said, “If the edge starts to come off, it’s hard to find it and replace it. But if anything’s going to bring it out of him, a World Cup will. He’s had some pretty amazing moments in World Cups in the past and hopefully, for Australia’s sake, he can have a few more over the next few weeks.”
In the Big Bash League 2025–26, Maxwell scored only 76 runs from eight innings and picked up just two wickets. After returning to T20 internationals in 2025, he scored 171 runs from nine innings at an average of 21.37, while taking six wickets.
Despite this, Ponting expects Maxwell to be named in Australia’s playing XI for the opening match. “You couldn’t pick him on form at the moment because of what everyone else in that squad has done through the BBL. But they’ll pick him because of his experience and probably because of the conditions as well,” Ponting said.
Ponting also highlighted Maxwell’s skills against spin and his ability to bowl, especially in the early games. He said, “He can because he always has. I’ve coached him a lot and he’s a really hard player to read, what’s going to happen, because he can have a week of the best training you’ve ever seen and then come out and it does not happen. And he could have the world’s worst week leading into a game and come out and do something crazy.”
Australia will start their T20 World Cup 2026 journey against Ireland on February 11 in Colombo.
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