From opening the innings in West Indies to batting at no.7, Glenn Maxwell has become the floater for Australia in their T20I setup. In the ending stages of his career, Maxwell is happy to fill the holes in Australian batting lineup as Tim David has been promoted up the order.
"I've been a bit of the shuffler around the order, up and down. I'm filling holes at the moment. Even during the West Indies series, trying to combat Akeal Hosein (by) going up the top, this series (against South Africa) going a little bit lower, trying to manage that back end (of the innings),” Maxwell was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
"(I'm) trying to play whatever role is needed for me in this side and just try and be as adaptable as possible." he added.
Maxwell registered scores of 1 and 16 in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. In the five-T20I series, he was warming up Travis Head's opening seat as Jake Fraser-McGurk failed to prove his worth. His best came in the fourth T20I when he scored 47 runs from just 18 balls, featuring six sixes.
With Mitchell Owen ruled out of the final T20I, Maxwell is likely to bat a little higher in the decider.
Maxwell’s plan for T20 World Cup 2026
The 36-year-old feels his bowling can come in handy in powerplay overs in the T20 World Cup 2026, hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
"I think in the subcontinent you might be able to get a little bit more out of it (wicket) as a spinner early on," Maxwell said.
"Especially that new ball, the hard seam, being able to grip on those dry surfaces. So it might be something we think about heading forward.”
Maxwell’s scalps in South Africa series
In the first T20I, Maxwell conceded 29 runs from his quota of four overs and got the wicket of young Lhuan-dre Pretorius. In the second game, he was expensive as Dewald Brevis wreaked havoc. However, he got the wickets of skipper Aiden Markram and Pretorius in the powerplay overs.
"I love getting wickets. It's very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I'm there to do a job in the powerplay and I'm trying to execute that as well as I can," he further added.
Maxwell on the cusp of achieving major feat
Maxwell is one wicket away from becoming fifth Australian to take 50 wickets in T20Is. From 123 games, he has been handed the ball in 82 innings. His bowling average is 29.73 and economy rate just over eight runs per over. If he takes a wicket in the series decider on August 16, he will join the likes of Adam Zampa (128 wickets), Mitchell Starc 79 wickets), Josh Hazlewood (71 wickets) and Pat Cummins (66 wickets).