Cricket World Cup: Glenn Maxwell reveals his struggles after the death of Phillip Hughes
GLENN Maxwell has opened up about his form slump, revealing he’s been struggling to concentrate on cricket since the death of Phillip Hughes.
WORLD Cup bound Glenn Maxwell has opened up about his inexplicable form slump, revealing he’s been struggling to concentrate on cricket since the death of Phillip Hughes.
Maxwell’s name is expected to be included in the 15-man squad submitted by Cricket Australia to the International Cricket Council today, ahead of a public announcement on Sunday in Sydney.
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Coming back into the Australian camp for the upcoming one-day tri-series against India and England could be the best thing for an out-of-sorts Maxwell, who simply hasn’t had the same support network to rely on as Test players in the wake of the Hughes tragedy.
Maxwell was living with another one-day star Aaron Finch, one of Hughes’ closest friends, when the dynamic batsman passed, and the pair struggled to process the unexpected trauma.
Maxwell has described them as “the two worst months of my life.”
Australian Test players had full-time access to team psychologist Dr Michael Lloyd and team doctor Peter Brukner.
The man they call the Big Show had already endured a poor one-day series against South Africa, but it’s no coincidence his form has continued on a downward spiral, with his mind simply not in cricket according to teammates.
Australian Test players have admitted being with each other on the Test circuit has helped them cope, but Maxwell’s experience is an example of how difficult it’s been for those in Australian cricket outside the immediate circle.
“I keep having random moments of weakness where I just lose it because I start thinking about him,” Maxwell told cricket.com.au.
“When I’m batting, that’s when everything else is blocked out and I’m fine. Fielding I still struggle with and your head starts to wander a little bit.
“I’ve tried to create contests a bit more to keep my mind busy.
“It’s hard to stop thinking.”
Maxwell and opening batsman Finch — a certainty for the World Cup squad — did it tough in each other’s company, a million miles from the Australian team.
“Living with Finchy probably didn’t help. He was obviously best mates with him. The first week he didn’t want to talk about it and I sort of did,” said Maxwell.
“That didn’t really sit well with either of us.
“Then the second week I didn’t want to talk about it and he did.
“We were on different paths the whole time.”
Australian captain Michael Clarke is making strong progress with his recovery from hamstring surgery and he’s set to be given every chance to play in the showpiece World Cup tournament on home soil.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh could miss the majority of the tri-series with his own hamstring injury, but he will also have faith shown in him.
The most contentious position for Australia seems to be a decision over whether they pick a specialist spinner.
In past World Cups selectors have always had a specialist, so as to be prepared for all conditions.
By the time the World Cup final comes around in late March, wickets around Australia will be worn and dry.
If a specialist spinner is considered imperative, Tasmanian Xavier Doherty is the favourite given he played in the last ODI series against South Africa ahead of Nathan Lyon.
However, selectors could also decide to rely on Maxwell as their spin option and use the final position in the squad to select another pace bowler like Jason Behrendorff or Nathan Coulter-Nile.
At this stage George Bailey is still the vice-captain of the Australian ODI team ahead of Steve Smith.
Likely Australian World Cup squad: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Doherty.
Originally published as Cricket World Cup: Glenn Maxwell reveals his struggles after the death of Phillip Hughes
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