Published: Sep 07, 2016, 06:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 07, 2016, 06:57 PM (IST)
Glenn Maxwell epitomizes Australian brand of cricket. He is intimidating and lets his bat do the talking. Maxwell is a fine combination of brute force and finesse and the manic right-hander corroborated the above belief with a sizzling ton in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) against Sri Lanka at Pallekele on Tuesday. When Maxwell fires, he will win you matches single-handedly. He either fires or he doesn’t, there are no half measures. There is either frustration or jubilation.
Maxwell’s career witnessed a steep downfall and was dropped from the side due to mere runs column. This was his comeback and he made the opportunities count with an unbeaten knock of 145 off 65 deliveries, which contained 14 boundaries and nine maximums.
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Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch, which looked conducive for batting. Maxwell and David Warner opened the batting for Australia, a move, which initially surprised many. Maxwell’s elevation at the top was a masterstroke, as his style of play is best suited in the power-play, when the field restriction is on.
Maxwell started off on a cautious note but shifted gears in no time and attacked every Sri Lankan bowler. He started off with punch through covers for a boundary to break the shackles. When he reverse swept Sachithra Senanayake for a six in the fifth over, all the eyebrows were raised and many had an impression that Maxwell has started to find his groove.
Maxwell, in no time raced towards his fifty off 27 deliveries and the stage was set for him to cut loose and take on the hapless Sri Lankan attack. He continued his brutal attack and showed no mercy whatsoever.
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Maxwell’s innings was a fine display of exquisite timing along with astute placement and ruthless hitting. His terrific hand-eye co-ordination and ability to pick the length early helped him dispatch good deliveries for a boundary. On 98, he was tested with a high full-toss, which he mistimed but still ran a couple to reach his maiden T20I hundred.
Runs were coming across the ground and Maxwell didn’t have one particular scoring area. In fact, he scored in every corner of the ground. His canny improvisation and incisive placement put the opposition at sixes and sevens. Maxwell also became the third Australian cricketer to have scored a T20I ton and his knock of 145 also made him the second highest run-scorer in T20Is.
Riding on Maxwell’s 145 runs knock, Australia posted a mammoth total of 263 in the first innings, which is also the highest T20I total till date. Watching Maxwell back in action was a sensation for every cricket fan, as his innings is entertaining yet graceful.
Australia won the game by 85 runs with Sri Lanka only managing 178 runs in their 20 overs. This innings has certainly revived fortunes for Maxwell in shorter formats as he has came out in flying colours under immense pressure. Maxwell could be handy at the top as his style of play will be effective when the field restrictions are on. He intends to clear the infield and take aerial route more often, which could be less risky in first six overs.
As of now, Australia have gained a healthy lead of 1-0 in the two-match series and all eyes are set on Maxwell in the second T20I. Relive the moment here:
