Follow UsWe all know what Glenn Maxwell did with the bat against Afghanistan, but Australia’s assistant and spin bowling coach Daniel Vettori has been really impressed with how he has evolved as a bowler. In the absence of Ashton Agar, Maxwell has been playing the role of a second spinner and has sent down 52.3 overs in the 2023 World Cup, picking up five wickets at an impressive economy rate of 4.95.
“I think you have to give Glenn most of that credit. I think he's a very willing bowler and sometimes that can be the hardest part of being an all-rounder, that even though you do have the skills, the desire is not always there. And Max, he loves bowling. And he loves the strategy that goes into it, probably like with his batting,” said Vettori.
“I think you see a bowler that's evolved over the last few years. And I think he's been able to, in particular, start to bowl over the wicket to right-handers, which sort of went out of fashion for a period of time. I think it's his ability to almost get near top spin and challenge the stumps the whole time from round and over the wicket.
“I think particularly in the powerplay, going over the wicket and being able to either skid it on or spin it back into the right-handed batsman has been his biggest improvement and meant that he can bowl at any stage of the innings. And even Patty (Pat Cummins) has the confidence to turn to him in the 46th or 47th over the other day to two right-handed. He's an extremely confident bowler because of all the work he puts in and how skillful and intelligent he is.”
Also read - 2% chance, 98% faith, Maxwell orchestrates the greatest La Remontada
It was Maxwell who single-handedly led Australia to victory against Afghanistan. Chasing a target of 292, Australia lost seven wickets for just 91 runs, but that’s when Maxwell stood up and played one of the most outrageous innings of all time. The right-hander smoked 201* off 128 deliveries and did that while struggling with his hamstring and back spasm. Australia have already qualified for the semis, so Maxwell could be rested for their last league game against Bangladesh in Pune on Saturday (November 11).
“He's definitely been in full recovery mode the last few days. We all saw the effects of the innings and in particular the heat. So, I think today's a big day, see how he pulls up. But obviously, we've had a couple of days off so there's been no training. He's not here today but we'll just see how he sort of feels as the day continues on but it's obviously been pretty hectic for him the last few days.
“We understand that obviously now that the semi-final is pretty definitive in Kolkata on the 16th, that it will be a build towards that. He does have a track record of being able to bounce back pretty quickly, even with some time away from the game. It will depend on how the day goes and then make a decision. Being a day game as well, probably means tonight they'll make the call.”
Vettori also spoke about Mitchell Starc, who is not having a great World Cup. The left-arm seamer has claimed 10 wickets in eight games at an average of 43.90 and an economy of 6.55. “You still see the threat every game, the ability to swing the ball in that first two to three overs.
“Particularly at night time, we've seen the difference between bowling in the afternoon as opposed to night. Whenever a team wins that toss and has that opportunity, particularly someone like Starc, I think back to the Netherlands game in Delhi, how destructive and effective he can be. If we can have the ability to set that up, makes a big difference.
“Obviously, tomorrow is different in a day game so that variance won't be there. But I think we, like the coaching staff, just see that threat the whole time in those first few overs. And even if it hasn't gone exactly how it was wanted to, we have no doubt that he can be destructive on his day. And I know Mitch is working hard towards that.”
Then there is Adam Zampa, who had a rough first two games but is now one of the leading wicket-takers. The legspinner has taken 20 wickets at an average of 19.20. In six games, Zampa has three or more wickets and Australia have won all those matches. “It was obviously a very difficult start through injuries and illness to be able to actually play,” Vettori said about Zampa.
“Probably the first three games was a bit of a - well it was an amazing effort because he was pretty close to pulling out against Pakistan. Fitness test right up to just before the toss. So, to see him get through that has been the starting point. But his control of his length has been the best that I've seen in this period of time, particularly through those three games where he took four wickets in a row, and then against England, his length of control.
“We all know the skills and the variations, but his ability to actually just land the ball on the spot time and time again gave most teams limited opportunities to attack him. England game he didn't go for a boundary; he might not have gone for anything more than a single against two left-handers Stokes and Moeen who are very good players of spin. It is all about the length of control for him, because all the other skills are there. But when you combine that with that aspect of the game as well, he's almost unplayable.”
Australia have the most number of titles and become a different beast once they get into the knockouts, something Vettori has experienced in the past as an opposition. “Experience against them, you're always coming up against quality players. So, the fact that you saw those players in front of you, there was some trepidation around that. And you knew that they had that group of match winners that could win the game. And that's the same here.
“When you look through the team list, you see obviously Maxwell from the last innings, but everyone in that batting group can step up and take the game away. And the bowling group is so experienced and so skillful. But the main factor is just probably the confidence coming in from winning six games in a row, and hopefully, it's seven games in a row leading into the semifinal. I think that's the thing that will give the team the most comfort around heading into that, particularly against South Africa, who outplayed us in the second game of the tournament.”