He couldn’t resolve Australia’s middle-order woes, but the long-awaited return of Glenn Maxwell gave national selectors one less headache ahead of next month’s World Cup campaign in India.
Maxwell, playing his first ODI since March, received player of the match honours after claiming career-best figures of 4-40 during India’s unsuccessful run chase at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday.
The Victorian toppled every member of India’s top four, including white-ball superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, to help Australia clinch a consolation 66-run victory in the dead rubber contest.
“It’s been a lot of hard work,” Maxwell said in the post-match presentation.
“I feel like I’m in a decent place. I feel fresh. I probably don’t have as many travel wounds as a few other people.
“I feel like I’ve come into this World Cup nice and fresh. I’m excited to hit the ground running.”
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The Big Show makes triumphant return | 02:16
Maxwell’s fitness has been a major obstacle for Australia leading into the World Cup. The 34-year-old only recently recovered from an ankle injury he sustained in South Africa, while he is still feeling the effects of the gruesome leg break he suffered last summer.
He has only played two of Australia’s 14 previous ODIs, less than ideal for an X-factor player of Maxwell’s quality ahead of a World Cup campaign, but he showed no signs of rust during the series finale in Rajkot.
“It was great to see him back,” Australian teammate Mitchell Marsh told reporters in the post-match press conference.
“We know his batting is absolute class, but what he can do with the ball and the options he gives us with our all-rounders is vital to us going deep into the World Cup.
“It was outstanding to have him back.”
Maxwell SHOCKS himself with insane catch | 00:55
Maxwell not only helped Australia break a frustrating five-match losing streak, but the right-hander proved how valuable his off-spin could be ahead of the sport’s marquee tournament.
He’s more than capable of serving as a second-choice spinner on the subcontinent’s turning wickets, accompanying strike tweaker Adam Zampa in the middle overs when required.
Maxwell’s all-rounder status also allows Australia to have two spinners in their starting XI without sacrificing a pace bowler.
“(He’s) someone who can really take the game on,” Australian teammate Mitchell Starc told reporters on Tuesday.
“His ability with the ball, particularly in these conditions, adds another option in the bowling department as well.
“He has got a wealth of experience over here through IPL, through multiple tours. This is his third one-day World Cup.”
Maxwell only claimed two wickets during his previous 15 ODIs in India, averaging 153.50 with the ball across that period, but Wednesday’s career-best performance suggested he’s more than up to the task.
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Meanwhile, West Australian spinner Ashton Agar is still nursing a calf complaint that has put this World Cup dream under an injury cloud.
The left-armed tweaker, who was named in Australia’s provisional 15-player World Cup squad, returned home earlier this month for the birth of his first child, missing the bilateral ODI series against India.
However, according to several reports, Agar is yet to return to full fitness following his recent calf setback, opening the door for young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha to earn an eleventh-hour World Cup call-up.
Australia will play warm-up matches against Pakistan and the Netherlands before their World Cup opener against hosts India at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, October 8.
Marsh falls just short of superb ton | 02:49