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'He's Got An Amazing Knack' - Cummins To Use Maxwell As 'Frontline Spin Bowler'

image-lnh7oozlMaxwell's bowling has been extremely well (AP Photo)

Pat Cummins is expecting Glenn Maxwell to have a "big tournament" not just as an explosive middle-order batter but also with his understated part-time bowling skills at the ICC World Cup 2023. 

Before Australia kickstarted their campaign with the marquee face-off against India in Chennai on Sunday (October 8), the skipper made clear he is treating Maxwell as one of his "frontline spin" options alongside Adam Zampa. 

With spin allrounder Ashton Agar ruled out of the competition, there were concerns leading into the India clash that the five-time champions could be short of overs in the spin department for a dry surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. 

However, Cummins dispelled the worries by offering Maxwell the greatest vote of confidence and backing him to deliver his 10-over quota on a consistent basis. A flesh in the thorn for rampaging modern-day batters, Maxwell has always found a way to provide Australia control and crucial breakthroughs. 


Maxwell Not A Part-Time Option For India Game: Cummins

Bringing his nous as a renowned powerhitting batter into play with the ball, Maxwell troubles opposition players with his defensive bowling skills. The off-spinner boasts of an impressive body of work. He was effectively Australia's sole spinner at the 2015 World Cup and has taken his 64 wickets in the format at a useful economy rate of 5.53. 

Cummins said he has no doubt about Maxwell's ability to deliver the goods with his off-breaks and sent down his 10 overs for the side, proving himself as a bowling option under pressure and proving to be a perfect ally to lead tweaker Adam Zampa. 

"Yeah, I think so. You know, again, it's good that we've got plenty of bowling. But yeah, we've seen Max - he's a frontline spin bowler. In the 2015 World Cup, he was the sole spinner in basically every single match I think - other than one - so really happy with how he's going. I thought he bowed really well in that third ODI against India [just before the World Cup]. So yeah, we've got 20 overs of spin out there if we need it," Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Maxwell dented India's run-chase significantly in the third ODI of the recent series played in Rajkot with a mighty effective spell of 4/40 off his 10 overs, comfortably outperforming specialist wrist-spinner Tanveer Sangha. 

"He is always working on some things, even if it's not variations," Cummins said of Maxwell. "It's [about] different fields, different ways you bowl - and yeah, I think with age and experience as well, you just get a bit more clever and you need that as a spin bowler."

"So he's got an amazing knack of - if he misses out with the bat - with the ball, and vice versa. He's always in the game. So yeah, no doubt expecting a big tournament from Maxi."