Glenn Maxwell found form for Australia after a lean IPL and is taking that into the Big Bash

Glenn Maxwell found form for Australia after a lean IPL that earned a swipe from an Indian legend. But Maxwell only has eyes for the Big Bash.

Glenn Maxwell has been in blistering form for Australia. Picture: David Gray / AFP

More batting-friendly pitches and some comforts of being at home have been the catalyst for Glenn Maxwell’s rich vein of white-ball form that has come just in time for the Big Bash.

The Melbourne Stars captain has been in a sweet spot for Australia through six matches against India after a lean Indian Premier League in which Maxwell managed just 108 runs.

It was a downturn in form that earned him a rebuke from long-time critic, Indian great Virender Sehwag, who launched into the Aussie this week and declared he didn’t earn his $2.2 million paycheck.

“His attitude changes when he plays for Australia. When he goes to Australia, he knows that if he has two or three bad innings, he will be left out of the Australian team and it will be difficult to make a comeback,” Sehwag told Sony Sports.

“He doesn’t take pressure at all (in the IPL). He is there only for enjoyment.

“So, I never felt that he is that serious about the game. When he comes to the IPL, he is more serious about his golf than cricket.”

Maxwell said he would give those claims “no oxygen” on Thursday as he flew to Canberra ahead of the Stars’ opening Big Bash game against the Brisbane Heat on Friday night.

"He (#GlennMaxwell) will do everything in the match - encourage players, roam around, dance other than scoring runs," #VirenderSehwag said. #INDvsAUS #AUSvIND #IPL2020 #IPL #Cricket https://t.co/wcR4uOh8OV

— India Today Sports (@ITGDsports) December 9, 2020

He said his form for Australia, which started with a 19-ball innings of 45 in the opening ODI and included swatting 14 sixes across the six games, was more down to “getting on a roll”.

“I can’t really put my finger on it. I came out in the (first) game at the perfect time, the team needed me to perform a role and I did,” he said.

“It’s not like I was worrying about the last two months or what was going to happen.

“When you bat in the middle order, you can take a couple of risks at the start, and if you don’t get away with them your scores don’t look too great.

“I was able to get away with them early, and all of a sudden you get on a bit of a roll.”

Maxwell only linked up with his teammates on Wednesday, continuing a road trip that stretches back to August.

The Stars have had to shake up their BBL plans too, losing star English opener Jonny Bairstow and with Marcus Stoinis unlikely to bowl throughout the tournament after suffering a side strain.

West Indian Andre Fletcher, who nicknamed himself the “Spice Man”, has come in and Maxwell said he could be a competition surprise packet.

“I seriously met him for the first time on Wednesday . it feels like we are best friends already,” he said.

“He calls himself the Spice Man. He’s a great character and he has some amazing skills.

“He’s very loud and outgoing, bubbly, makes you feel welcome every time you speak to him. It’s like he has been here for the last five years.

“He brings an unbelievable energy. I am sure he’s going to rub off well on the other guys.”

Introducing Andre 'The Spiceman' Fletcher 🕺#TeamGreen pic.twitter.com/8yNPkq3Wh4

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) December 9, 2020

Originally published as Glenn Maxwell found form for Australia after a lean IPL and is taking that into the Big Bash