Published: Sep 07, 2016, 09:49 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 07, 2016, 12:52 PM (IST)
Glenn Maxwell who, with his unbeaten knock of 145 off 65 deliveries, turned the first T20I against Sri Lanka, in Australia’s favour, said he was excited to open the innings and enjoyed the challenge. Maxwell, was instrumental in taking Australia to a 85-run win which has now given them a 1-0 lead in the series. Aaron Finch’s absence due to injury, provided Maxwell the opportunity to open the innings along with captain David Warner, and the former made full use of it. Maxwell who was also awarded the Man of the Match award for his performance, made the tie a one-sided contest as Sri Lanka’s bowlers were thrashed to all corners at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. Full Cricket Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st T20I at Pallekele
“I was really excited about it and looking forward to the opportunity. I find it easier at the top of the order. When you are in the middle-order, you have to be proactive all the time. You have to play big shots at that time of the game and the responsibility falls on your shoulders. At the top of the order, you’ve got a little more freedom and you can play normal cricket shots without taking too many risks,” Maxwell said as quoted by Cricbuzz. READ: Match Report: Glenn Maxwell’s century proves to be the difference as Australia thump Sri Lanka by 85 runs in 1st T20I
Maxwell, was on course to break Finch’s highest T20 score record, but fell short by 11 runs. Travis Head occupying the strike in the last few balls, meant Maxwell couldn’t break that record.
“I spoke to Travis and told him to keep trying and hitting it for a six. It was at a stage where we had 260 on the board and you know you are not going to lose, so we were having a bit of fun out there. He (Finch) was telling me that I was going to beat it. He said you won’t get my 16 sixes but you’ll get my score. I knew it before only because he’s told me about it like 300 times,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell was dropped from the Australia’s ODI squad, after going through a rough patch in the tri-series in West Indies and not being able to perform well in the Australia A games as well. He was at his explosive best when he came out to open though, in the first T20I. And Maxwell revealed he was hurt by his exclusion from the ODI squad as well.
“I had a bit of a lull in January and February. I felt like I did my job really well in the World T20,” he said. “West Indies was pretty disappointing because I felt I was a bit out of luck there. I just couldn’t get a break. Not being on the Sri Lanka Test tour hurt but I understood why they dropped me and I have no issues with that. It was pretty demoralising. I was ready to go (in the A games) but it was hard. I have pretty high standards for myself when I play that level. I expect to dominate and it was pretty average,” he added.
