Premier Cricket 2020-21: Australian international Glenn Maxwell stars in Lions return

Fitzroy Doncaster certainly saw some of the best from Australian international Glenn Maxwell on Saturday – but could there be more to come from the all-rounder this season?

Glenn Maxwell bowling for the Lions in 2019. Picture: Peter Ristevski

The rain may have brought the match to a premature end, but Fitzroy Doncaster certainly saw some of the best from Australian international Glenn Maxwell on Saturday – and there may be more to come.

Maxwell, who puts his hand up for the Premier club when his schedule permits, proved a handy addition to the Lions’ First XI as they took on Kingston Hawthorn in his first match this season.

And he made an immediate impact with the ball, taking 4-35 off 10 overs as the Hawks registered 9-193 in the match’s only innings with rain stopping play to force a draw.

He claimed the scalps of top and middle order bats in Ramneet Dhindsa (37) and Nivin Sathyajith (0) within three balls of each other in the 12th over, followed by Jake Marnie (8) and Shorye Chopra (3) within the next six overs to steady the Lions following a strong start at the crease by the home side.

Glenn Maxwell in action at the crease for the Lions in 2019. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi said Maxwell’s bowling provided the Lions a much-needed boost following the Hawks’ 0-32 start which quickly evaporated when Maxwell took hold, sending the Hawks to 5-46.

“(Maxwell) messaged me earlier in the week asking if we needed another player for this week, and I was very quick to say yes,” Alavi said.

“He’s awesome in that way in that whenever he gets the opportunity, he always puts his hand up to play with us … he was perfect to have in that situation – they got off to a bit of a flying start, we had to rein them back and take a few quick wickets.

“Unfortunately the rain came later in the day and we couldn’t see him bat, and we would’ve loved to and hopefully chase down the runs … but it wasn’t to be.”

Alavi said the club was hopeful the all-rounder would be available for the last two games and that he was “a chance to be playing next week” when the Lions take on fourth-placed Geelong.

Meanwhile, right-arm fast medium Sam Elliott took 2-49 off 10, taking his season total to 16 wickets as he dismissed Hawks No. 1 batsman Sam Newell for 20 in the first wicket of the day to send the Hawks to 1-32 ahead of Maxwell’s charge.

Fitzroy-Doncaster bowler Sam Elliott has enjoyed a consistent season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He also arrested Matthew Vorbach’s run of 57, bowling the No. 6 in the 49th over, while Alavi took 1-11 off 10 and Harrison Goad registered 1-22 off five.

Elliott has enjoyed a consistent season with the ball, sitting third overall for wickets taken in the Lions’ First XI.

Alavi said while he was last week selected in the Victorian squad of 12 for the one-day clash against Tasmania but missed out, his initial inclusion had been testament to his performances this season.

“He keeps taking wickets each week which is what we love as a key strike bowler, he’s just growing in confidence every week,” Alavi said.

Yesterday’s draw has the Lions sitting sixth on the ladder with an 8-5-2 record, with Melbourne University and Essendon sitting immediately outside the eight in ninth and 10th respectively with seven wins apiece.

With Geelong awaiting the Lions next weekend and Richmond to follow, Alavi said his side was under no illusions there was still much work to be done with competition hotting up for finals spots.

“You’re never safe until the last round is played and obviously it’s really tight up to 10th,” he said.

“We’re going to need to keep winning to secure a spot with some really tough games to come with Geelong and Richmond who are both in really good form.

“We’re going to have to be at our best and we’re really excited for the opportunity to put forward our chances to play some finals again … but a lot of work still to be done.”