Subhayan Chakraborty from Chennai
Chennai welcomed the Australian team on Thursday afternoon with the searing heat it is known for. They begin their World Cup campaign against India on Sunday (October 8). While captain Pat Cummins hinted at a more relaxed approach to training, focusing on ‘air-conditioned’ recovery, one man appeared to be on a mission — Glenn Maxwell.
A seasoned campaigner in Indian conditions thanks to his stints with various teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Maxwell is no stranger to the challenges posed by the pitches in the sub-continent. In 16 ODIs in India, his tally of 434 runs with three half-centuries and average of 27.12 is modest. Perhaps that’s why, there seems to be an urge in him to make a statement.
Maxwell, who is a son-in-law of Tamil Nadu because his wife Vini Raman’s parents hail from Vellore, has a point to prove. This is possibly his last ODI World Cup. His hunger was evident from the moment he strode into the practice nets. While most of his teammates were still in the process of warming up or engaged in fielding drills, Maxwell was at the crease.
However, with the official warm-up protocol in place, there were no Aussie bowlers available to test him. So Maxwell seized the opportunity to face four local spinners — an off-spinner, a left-arm orthodox, a left-arm wrist spinner and a leg-spinner. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has allocated a group of net bowlers for each team.
As the quartet started delivered their tricks, Maxwell unleashed his trademark big hits, slogs, sweeps and reverse sweeps with a lot of power. The bowlers were determined to beat him and even bowled him on occasions. Maxed acknowledged their efforts and went about business in his own way.
In a spirit of camaraderie, he also provided tips to these local bowlers whenever they missed their mark. “Maxwell didn’t have any special requirements. We are four different types of spin bowlers. He wanted us to bowl our best deliveries, which we tried. We even beat him a few times, at which he praised us. When we were not bowling well, he gave us some tips, which will help us improve our game,” said one of the spinners.
“He is a world-class batter. He didn’t look in any trouble and such was his competitive edge that he smacked us around after we beat him with a good ball. The timing was top-class. He is too good but we are learning as well. Hopefully, in the next couple of days, we’ll learn more by bowling to different Aussie batters,” the bowler added.
This exchange showed Maxwell’s dedication to his craft and his willingness to engage with aspiring bowlers. He is not only honing his skills, but also helping other improve by playing a mentor’s role.
As Maxwell and the rest of the Australian batters line up to take on the formidable Indian spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja, the stage is set for an exhilarating showdown at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Maxwell’s determination promises to be a compelling subplot in what is shaping up to be an enthralling contest between two cricketing giants.