T20 2022: Glenn Maxwell hasn’t got time to dwell on World Cup defeat
Australian cricket used to live and die by its’ records at World Cups, but Glenn Maxwell says, with this era’s packed schedule, that ‘probably’ isn’t the case any more.
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Don’t expect Australia’s cricketers to be wallowing in self pity if their T20 World Cup defence ends in a whimper instead of a bang.
There was a time, not that long ago, when the national cricket team would go into hiding because they were so embarrassed at underperforming at a home World Cup.
But not any longer.
According to Glenn Maxwell, “it doesn’t mean anything” because the realities of the modern professional game mean that even World Cups get lost in the mix so few players will lose any sleep if the team makes an early exit.
LIVE: ENGLAND V SRI LANKA, WILL AUSSIES REACH SEMI-FINALS?
“You can‘t dwell on it. I think you move on pretty quickly,” Maxwell said.
“We‘ve got a one day series against England probably 24 hours later and then we’ve got the Big Bash and then we’ve got four day cricket.
“Cricket never stops so you don‘t get time to dwell. Maybe when you retire you think back to it would have been nice to win that but it doesn’t mean anything.
“I wish we had of won but we didn‘t.”
For past Australian players whose proudest moments were winning World Cups, Maxwell’s comments will almost be viewed as heresy.
They are also unlikely to appease the growing number of critics who think this Australian team has lost its ruthless, hard edge ever since Justin Langer was removed as coach.
Australia won the last T20 World Cup under the no-nonsense Langer but his messy departure and Pat Cummins’ recent complaints about fossil companies sponsoring sporting teams have led to accusations players are more worried about virtue signalling than playing the game.
Rightly or wrongly, that narrative has been reinforced in the aftermath of Australia’s four-run win over Afghanistan at Adelaide Oval on Friday, with the team coming under renewed attack on social media for mixing politics and sport.
“This all started with Cummins not being happy with Justin Langer, they are just overpaid and more concerned about the interests outside of cricket whilst demanding over the top pay packets!” one reader commented.
Another disgruntled fan wrote: “It started in the warm up games when they were laughing and joking about careless play and a superior attitude. The coach and selectors need to get rid of this team’s arrogance. Maybe bring Langer back to exert some discipline.”
Those complaints were typical of the angry mood around Australia’s performances during the tournament but Maxwell said it wasn’t from any lack of effort or desire.
On the contrary, the big-hitting all-rounder said the players had been completely focused on their World Cup title defence but things just haven’t gone their way.
“We were so excited to get the tournament underway,” he said.
“It was probably the longest lead-in we‘ve ever had.
“What did we have – 15 games (against West Indies, England and India) in all sorts of places, in some pretty average conditions.
“Once that 15th game was finished against India at the Gabba, the feeling around the group was almost a sigh of relief.
“We got through all the pain and now we can start the tournament. We were excited, we were fresh, we were ready to go.”
Things didn’t go as planned and Australia’s fate was effectively taken out of their own hands when they were hammered by New Zealand in the opening match then their clash against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was rained out.
Although they didn’t lose any more matches, they have struggled with the bat, the ball and in the field, compounded by some baffling selections.
The win over Afghanistan summed up everything that has gone wrong with David Warner throwing his wicket away trying to switch hit, Cameron Green dropping a catch in the outfield and Kane Richardson – who replaced the dangerous Mitchell Starc – getting spanked for 12 runs an over.
Maxwell was one of the few Australian players to emerge from the tournament with his reputation intact but the team only has itself to blame for their predicament.
“You can‘t dwell on that. We probably just missed a few opportunities. Starting the first game of the tournament not that well probably hurt us as well. That goes probably without saying,” he said.
“You‘ll certainly be disappointed. We’ve missed opportunities. We probably haven’t nailed quite enough moments. We haven’t played the perfect game.
“That‘s probably the disappointment, because we haven’t been able to show how we feel we’re playing as a group. We’ve just probably missed the big moments probably too many times.”
DIRE WC EQUATION: AUSTRALIA AVOIDS TOTAL HUMILIATION
Only a monumental upset win by Sri Lanka - or more heavy rain in Sydney - can save Australia’s lifeless T20 World Cup defence from ending early.
Australia’s slim hopes of progressing to the semi-finals are now out of their hands after they failed - yet again - to produce their very best when they needed to and nearly suffered a humiliating defeat.
Their nailbiting four-run win over cricket minnows Afghanistan at Adelaide Oval has left the Aussies with just one remaining path to the knockout phase.
To progress, they need Sri Lanka to beat England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, or for rain to wash out the game.
While it isn’t over just yet because Australia has previously pulled off some amazing Houdini escapes, if they do miss out, the recriminations will be swift and severe because they have no-one but themselves to blame for the predicament they are in.
It started when they were slaughtered by New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament and although they haven’t lost a match since, they just haven’t performed to their full potential.
“We never really felt safe. We’ll stay here and watch that game, hoping for a bit of an upset,” Australia’s stand-in captain Matthew Wade said.
“We put ourselves in that situation, been trying to chase a bit of run rate but it hasn’t gone our way.
“We were a bit slow out of the blocks this tournament, hopefully it doesn’t cost us.”
Their lame effort against Afghanistan was the embarrassing proof of how far their standards have slipped since they won the World Cup under Justin Langer a year ago.
Needing to win in a landslide to improve their poor net run rate and give themselves a second possible route to the semis if England only narrowly beat Sri Lanka, they fluffed their lines again and were lucky to win.
Sent into bat on a flat deck with a reshuffled team boosted by the return of Steve Smith and Cameron Green, they managed 8-168, a respectable total but well below what they expected.
They did get robbed of an extra delivery in the power play when the umpires incorrectly called an end to the fourth over after just five balls but that gaffe made no difference to the outcome.
Only Glenn Maxwell managed to post a half-century on a perfect batting deck where the Aussies contributed to their problems with some brain explosions from the top order.
Maxwell finished unbeaten on 54 from 32 balls after Mitch Marsh (45), David Warner (25) and Marcus Stoinis (25) all failed to go on with the job after making promising starts.
“We had to put a total on to give ourselves a chance to win the game,” Glenn Maxwell said.
“They executed well and we couldn’t get away.
“We put ourselves in this situation but hopefully Sri Lanka can do the job for us.”
Warner threw his wicket away in comical fashion when he switched from left to right handed and was clean bowled, while Marsh skied one straight up in the air and Stoinis guided a simple catch to backward point.
Smith and Green both came and went quickly after being recalled into the side to replace injured captain Aaron Finch and the big-hitting Tim David - with both players ruled out because of hamstring strains.
Matthew Wade took over as skipper and the selectors made another change - which caught everyone by surprise - when they dropped fast bowler Mitchell Starc and replaced him with Kane Richardson.
Promoted to opener, Green made just three before he was caught a slip, while Smith managed just four before he was trapped lbw.
Afghanistan made a great start, coasting to 2-99 after 13 overs when the wheels fell off and they lost three wickets without adding a single run, then nearly stole it at the death with Rashid Khan smashing 48 not out off 23 balls.
Afghanistan finished on 7-164 with Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood capturing two wickets apiece. The inclusion of Richardson backfired when he was tonked all over the ground, conceding 48 runs from four overs.
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE THRILLER BELOW
10PM: ZAMPA THE SAVIOUR
Australia’s quirky tweaker is turning the tide in his side’s favour, taking three wickets in four ball to halt Afghanistan’s matchwinning charge.
Zampa was always going to play a key role tonight. Here’s how his incredible over unfolded:
Ball one: Maxwell direct hit from the deep to remove Naib
Ball two: Maxwell catches Najibullah at deep mid-off
Ball three: dot ball
Ball four: Marsh catches I Zadran at short fine leg
Ball five: two runs
Ball six: dot ball
Unfortunately for Australia it could restrict Afghanistan to 106, meaning only an England loss to Sri Lanka will save Australia... stranger things have happened.
9:39PM: AUSTRALIA’S WORLD CUP FADING
Australia’s lead is being chewed up. But of more importance, Afghanistan is closing in on that 106 mark.
Should Australia fail to restrict Afghanistan to 106 but win the contest, only an England loss will see them progress to the knockout stages.
We’re yet to see if Australia’s decision to leave Mitchell Starc out will pay off...
Afghanistan is cruising at 2-66 in the 10th.
AUSTRALIA ROBBED IN MAJOR STUFF UP
Australia was robbed of a precious delivery as it looks to keep its T20 World Cup title defence alive against Afghanistan.
The fourth over of Australia’s innings, delivered by seamer Naveenulhaq, was only five balls rather than six.
The issue appeared to happen when David Warner and Mitch Marsh scampered through for an overthrow on the fourth ball of the over.
The official TV scoreboard showed Naveenulhaq’s over went: one run, one run, four runs, two runs and three runs, when the two and three were in fact the fourth ball of the over.
Only one more ball was bowled, which was a dot, costing the Aussies one of their powerplay balls.
“Welcome to the new format, The Hundred and Nineteen,” one fan said on Twitter.
Another added: “Is there anything outrageous left that has not happened in this WC? Who wrote this script?”
Five-ball overs happen every now and then in village cricket
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 4, 2022
Not so much in World Cups 😬#T20WorldCup#AUSvAFGpic.twitter.com/sMEorfuFMn
9:05PM: GAME ON IN ADELAIDE
Australia has its first wicket of the innings thanks to Josh Hazlewood.
Afghan opener Ghani skies one and it Pat Cummins make the grab look very difficult.
That’s the first step on Australia’s quest to knock Afghanistan over for 106 - the total that will push them ahead of England’s run rate.
INNINGS BREAK: AUSTRALIA ONE INNINGS AWAY FROM DISASTER
Australia has stumbled badly in their first step towards trying to secure a possible place in the T20 World Cup semifinals by posting a modest total against cricket minnows Afghanistan.
Sent into bat under lights at Adelaide Oval, the reshuffled Aussie team managed just 8-168, their second highest total of the tournament, but way less than what they expected.
Needing to make a huge score to boost their poor net run rate, only Glenn Maxwell managed a half-century on a perfect batting deck after a bizarre sequence of brain explosions from the top order.
Maxwell finished unbeaten on 54 from 32 balls after Mitch Marsh (45), David Warner (25) and Marcos Stoinis (25) failed to go on with the job after making promising starts.
Warner threw his wicket away in comical fashion when he switched from left to right handed and was clean bowled, while Marsh skied one straight up in the air and Stoinis guided a simple catch to backward point.
Steve Smith and Cameron Green both failed after being called into the team to replace injured captain Aaron Finch and the big-hitting Tim David - with both players ruled out because of hamstring strains.
The selectors also made another change - which caught everyone by surprise - when they dropped fast bowler Mitchell Starc and replaced him with Kane Richardson.
Australia’s lower than expected total means New Zealand is now guaranteed a place in the semifinals.
To join the Kiwis, Australia needs to beat Afghanistan and hope that England lost to Sri Lanka on Saturday.
If England wins, the last semi berth will come down to net run rate and Australia needs to bowl Afghanistan out for less than 106 just to overtake England’s run rate.
Promoted to opener, Green made just three before he was caught a slip, triggering a minute collapse that saw the defending champions lose three wickets in the power play.
Smith managed just four before he was trapped lbw - then compounded his mistake by wasting a review.
“It’ll be competitive. I thought Afghanistan bowled well,” Marsh said.
“We’d obviously like a few more with the situation we’re in but first things first we need to win the game.
“Hopefully we can put pressure on them with early wickets. The (pitch) slowed up a touch, probably a par score. Tried to push the button earlier, a few of us got out trying to kick on
“It’s not often you find yourselves in these situations. Going to take something special tonight, hopefully we can do that with the ball.”
AUS last 29 balls scored only 29 runs 😬😬 #AUSvAFG
— Abbasi Akabar (@ak_abbasi180) November 4, 2022
8:14PM: AND THEN THERE WERE TWO
Every time Australia forms a partnership, a stupid shot choice or decision brings them undone.
The culprit this time is Marcus Stoinis. The big-hitting all-rounder bites off more than he can chew, attacking Rashid Khan after being served a handful of dollys.
Stand-in skipper Matthew Wade joins Maxwell in Australia’s last stand.
7:54PM: AUSTRALIA’S LAST HOPE
Mitch Marsh, that wasn’t the plan ...
Marsh and Marcus Stoinis were humming along, seeing off Khan and co while attacking the quick bowlers - until the former Test all-rounder thought it a good idea to attack tweaker Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Commentator Mark Howard nearly had a bigger ‘Barry’ than Marsh with his call.
“The keeper takes the couch and drops at!” Howie screamed. “In the end! Held it and he did catch it! Marsh cannot believe it. He departs.”
Yeah, he held it, Howie.
The big West Australian skied a sweep shot. Enter the Big Show.
7.38PM: WARNER ROASTED AS AUSSIE COLLAPSE
David Warner, what were you thinking?
Re-called superstar Steve Smith comes to the crease after his old partner in crime commits one in the final over of the power play.
The left-hander turns right-hander and gets it totally wrong as his wicket splits.
This statement from BBC cricket commentator Alex Hartley sums up Warner’s shot: “He’s played a cover drive like a four-year-old would in the back garden”.
The pile-on didn’t stop there, with the Twitterati not holding back in its assessment of Warner’s bizarre dismissal.
Oh dear, it gets worse for the Aussies. Next man to go is Smith. That is plum. Do not review that ... his review confirms what the world already knew. Australia is three down after six.
Maybe stick to left-handed shots, David...#BBCCricket#AUSvAFG#T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/rYYhQrBRfj
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) November 4, 2022
People watching the replay of David Warner's dismissal.#AUSvAFG#T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/y6TabZ5Mjb
— Peter Phoebe (@EatDrinkCricket) November 4, 2022
This dismissal sums up David Warner's tournament so far.
— CRICKET BATTING KING 👑 (@Ashishk83887621) November 4, 2022
📸: Disney+Hotstar#CricTracker#DavidWarner#AUSvAFG#T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/0LWg2Y04gppic.twitter.com/aoY7SrcdY5
7.26PM: WARNER, MARSH GO BANG
Cameron Green’s wicket hasn’t slowed Australia’s fast start - and it has been helped Afghanistan’s appalling fielding.
David Warner’s positive running between wickets is causing mass confusion for the Afghanis, with the speedster forcing several overthrows.
Of more concern for the visitors is the combined power hitting of new man Mitch Marsh and Warner.
The pair has pushed the run rate to just under 10 an over through five. As ‘sad’ as it is, Aaron Finch’s absence may be the exilir Australia need.
7.15PM: WARNER GOES BIG, GREEN FLOPS
This deck is a belter. There’s really no excuse for a top order failure for the Aussies.
David Warner has out scored his previous three innings (11) at this tournament.
The Bull - or whatever he goes by these days - means business ... the same can’t be said for his opening partner, Cam Green, who fails to make the most of his call-up, edging to first slip on the second ball faced.
On a side note, the great Aleem Dar officiating his 69th T20 international ...
TOSS: AFGHANISTAN WIN THE TOSS, TEAM NEWS
Afghanistan has won the toss and will bowl first on slowish deck that will suit superstar and ‘hometown’ lad Rashid Khan.
Steve Smith has been recalled to the Australian team for Friday’s must-win T20 World Cup match after captain Aaron Finch was sensationally ruled out.
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will take over as skipper after Finch - who has been suffering a hamstring injury - failed a fitness test and the selectors made some stunning late changes.
In a major surprise, Mitchell Starc was left out and replaced by paceman Kane Richardson.
Tim David, who has a similar injury to Finch, was also left out, with all-rounder Cameron Green taking his place in the line-up.
Afghanistan won the toss and sent Australia into bat.
Needing to win the game and improve their net run rate, the Aussies are expected to go out all guns blazing in the hope of posting a total in excess of 200.
This could be catnip for Smudge. The frisky former captain has been relegated beyond the boundary this tournament but doesn’t he love this kind of scenario. No one in Australian cricket plays the hero better than him.
Australia XI: David Warner, Cam Green, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Wade, Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
SO YOU’RE SAYING THERE’S A CHANCE?
New Zealand are virtually through the Semis. But if Australia win their last game by ~184 runs and England win their last match by ~128 runs, then New Zealand will be out. #T20WorldCup
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 4, 2022
TEAM NEWS: AARON FINCH OUT
Aaron Finch has played his last international match for Australia.
The Australian skipper failed to overcome a hamstring injury. Wicketkeeper Matt Wade will lead the side.
Finch was spotted with a baseball glove less than an hour before the must-win clash against Afghanistan.
It’s a sad end for the captain but his absence could be a blessing in disguise for Australia who need a massive victory and even bigger net run rate.
Aaron Finch with a baseball mitt on at training 45 minutes before the match is not a good sign you’d think in terms of his chances of playing. Or is it? #T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/iceyX7cHyT
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 4, 2022
KIWIS SURVIVE SCARE AGAINST IRELAND
Australia’s slim chances of making the T20 World Cup semi-finals just got even harder.
The first cricket miracle that every Australian supporter was praying for failed to materialise when Ireland lost to New Zealand at Adelaide Oval.
An upset win by the Irish would have left the Aussies needing only to win their last group match against Afghanistan to qualify for the semis but it was not to be.
Despite a stunning late hat-trick from Irish pacer Josh Little, the Kiwis cruised to a comfortable 35-run win to all but clinch their spot in the semis.
Although still not mathematically assured with two more group one matches still to be played, the Kiwis are a shoo-in to finish at the top of the standings because of their superior net run rate.
Sent into bat first, the Blackcaps posted another daunting total of 6-185, with skipper Kane Williamson top scoring with a rapid fire 61 off 35 balls.
Openers Finn Allen (32) and Devon Conway (28) laid the foundations with a 52-run stand in the power play and Daryl Mitchel finished the job with an unbeaten 31 after Little bagged a rare hat-trick in the 19th over.
Second 🥈 hat trick t20 World Cup Joshua Little 🔥🔥🔥
— cricket ki duniya 🔥🔥 (@_cricket_lovers) November 4, 2022
Wow😮😮#Hattrick#joshualittle#IREvNZ#T20WorldCup#T20WC2022pic.twitter.com/8SiNf26zAF
He started off by dismissing Williamson, caught at deep backward square, then trapped James Neesham and Mitchell Santner lbw on the next two deliveries.
The Irish mustered just 9-150 in reply in their last World Cup appearance.
They got off to a flying start when Paul Stirling (37) and skipper Andy Balbirnie (30) piled on 68 from the first eight overs, but once they departed the rest of the batting line-up crumbled as the Kiwis cantered home.
HOMETOWN HERO CAN KILL AUSTRALIA
Australia’s chances of posting a gigantic total against T20 World Cup minnows Afghanistan have suffered a late blow after spin whiz Rashid Khan was cleared to play.
The world’s No. 1 T20 bowler, Khan was in doubt for Friday’s match at Adelaide Oval after having some knee and back problems but has been given the thumbs up.
“He‘s fine now. He is very good and he’s participating in the net session so he’s OK,” Afghanistan assistant coach Rais Ahmadzai said.
“Everyone is okay and we want to finish the tournament with some positive things.
“It‘s not going to be an easy game for us to play against Australia in these conditions but they will be under pressure because they want to win.”
Although Khan has never played a T20 international against Australia before, the 24-year-old leg-spinner is no stranger to all the players and has been at the centre of every discussion about what the team needs to do to win.
“I reckon everyone would have played him a number of times over the years in either BBL or IPL, things like that,” Australian skipper Aaron Finch said.
“Each guy will have their own individual plans but I certainly wasn‘t expecting him to miss. I’d be surprised if he did.”
A star performer for the Adelaide Strikers in Big Bash, Khan will be right at home on the spin friendly wicket, where he once claimed a hat-trick in the BBL.
His battle with Australia’s star spinner Adam Zampa, who is currently seventh in the T20I world rankings, promises to be one of the keys to the match.
The danger for the Aussies is what happens when they chase quick runs to boost their net run rate in the hope of sneaking into the finals.
Taking on Khan brings heightened risk but Finch said everyone was ready for the challenge.
“We always prepare for anything that they‘ve got and Rashid is obviously as good as anyone in the world,” Finch said.
“I don‘t think that changes how we go about it a huge amount.
“The guys still do all their planning and preparation.”
Originally published as T20 2022: Glenn Maxwell hasn’t got time to dwell on World Cup defeat
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