Synopsis
Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson has expressed confidence in Glenn Maxwell's potential to excel in the ICC Champions Trophy. Despite challenges, Watson believes Australia remains a strong contender for their third title, especially with Maxwell's performance.Key Takeaways
- Glenn Maxwell is seen as a key player for Australia.
- Australia aims for their third Champions Trophy title.
- Concerns arise due to the absence of key bowlers.
- Watson remains optimistic about Australia’s chances.
- New bowlers have a chance to prove themselves.
Lahore, Feb 20 (NationPress) Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson has endorsed the talented all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to excel in the ICC Champions Trophy as Australia aims for their third title.
Although he is 36 years old and boasts over 250 international appearances across all formats, Maxwell's recent performance in the Big Bash League, where he was one of the two Players of the Series, has led Watson to believe that his finest cricket is still to come.
As the reigning champions of the 50-over World Cup and currently second in the ODI rankings, Australia is preparing to confront England. However, with only one victory in their last five ODIs and the absence of key bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc from the squad, there are concerns regarding their capability to reclaim the trophy in Pakistan.
Nonetheless, Watson, a two-time ICC Men’s Champions Trophy winner and one of the four Event Ambassadors for the 2025 edition, remains confident that Australia will be a formidable force, particularly if their dynamic all-rounder performs at his best.
“The stand-out player for me is Glenn Maxwell. Based on his recent displays, especially in the Big Bash, I believe he has some of his best cricket ahead of him in the next two or three years, and I would be very surprised if he does not dominate this Champions Trophy,” Watson stated, as quoted by ICC.
“He had that remarkable innings against Afghanistan during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where he scored a double century, but he has occasionally struggled with consistency, which is typical for his role in the team.
“However, it now feels like everything has come together for him, not just in cricket but in all aspects of his life, so I anticipate he will play a crucial role.
“I believe Australia will be extremely difficult to beat, even if their bowling squad is not as seasoned as it could be,” he added.
The former all-rounder was part of the Australian team that won the championship in the 2006 Champions Trophy, scoring 57 not out to secure an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the final.
He also scored centuries in both the semi-final and final in 2009, hitting the winning runs as Australia retained their title in South Africa.
The absence of the pace trio, Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc, due to injuries and personal reasons, opens doors for a new group of Australian bowlers, led by Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson, with Sean Abbott being the most experienced fast bowler with 26 caps. Watson is optimistic that they will seize their opportunity.
“You must perform at your peak in this event, given the format – hitting the ground running is essential,” he remarked.
“Spencer Johnson may not swing the ball much, but he bowls with great speed and bounce, making it impressive to watch how effortlessly he achieves those speeds. This is a fantastic opportunity for him.
“Sean Abbott has consistently performed well. He is effective with the older ball, particularly in how he releases it, and he possesses excellent speed. Then there’s Nathan Ellis, who is exceptionally skilled and widely underestimated in international cricket. He is a recognized force in franchise cricket and performs admirably, but I believe this could be his breakout year in international cricket, and I’m eager to see his performance.
“Although they may lack experience as a group in international matches, these quicks have all played under pressure in the Big Bash and other T20 tournaments – they know how to perform well under stress.”
Australia will kick off their Group B campaign against England in Lahore on Saturday, followed by matches against South Africa in Rawalpindi on February 25 and Afghanistan back in Lahore on February 28.
