Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has backed Glenn Maxwell to rediscover his spark at the upcoming T20 World Cup, insisting that a difficult Big Bash League season should not define what the all-rounder can deliver on the biggest stage. Maxwell endured a tough BBL campaign with Melbourne Stars, scoring just 76 runs at an average of 15.20, claiming two wickets and struggling in the field with several dropped catches. He has been rested for Australia’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan but is set to rejoin the squad in Sri Lanka ahead of their tournament opener against Ireland on February 11.
Ponting, speaking to The West Australian, highlighted Maxwell’s unpredictability as both a challenge and a strength. “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,” Ponting said. While acknowledging that age can play a role, Ponting believes the World Cup environment could bring out the best out of Maxwell once again. “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.” Ponting expects Maxwell to be named in Australia’s XI for the opener, with the defending champions drawn in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Oman. He admitted recent form alone would not justify selection but pointed to experience and conditions as key factors. “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. He added that the presence of spin-friendly conditions and a relatively gentle start to the tournament could help Maxwell find rhythm. “He’s probably going to be facing a lot of spin bowling and he’ll give the option to be able to bowl some as well. They’ve got some pretty easy games and that might be just exactly what he needs to get himself into some touch. A bit of soft opposition early on and some runs and wickets under his belt, that might hold him in good stead for the back half.“ Ponting also named Steve Smith as the leading candidate for a call-up should Australia suffer any injury setbacks. Smith enjoyed an outstanding BBL, scoring 299 runs at an average of 59.80 in six matches, including a century, after producing two fifties and a hundred during Australia’s home Ashes series. “His numbers stack up better than anybody else’s. But when you’ve been out and the side’s had some success, and Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are the incumbents, it’s hard to push one of those two guys out of an opening slot,” Ponting said. He noted that Smith’s role in the shortest format may have limited his recent opportunities. “And poor Steve has probably been pigeonholed as an opening batsman only in the T20 game, which probably has held him back a little bit in the last few years as far as selection is concerned. But he’s only one little injury away. He’s the next cab off the rank and he’s ready to go.”
