One of the fastest scorers in world cricket, Glenn Maxwell has become a key man in Australia’s middle order in the shorter formats. It is not just his power that worries opposing bowlers and captains. His ability to make unconventional shots appear routine – reverse sweeps and pulls, for example – makes it hard to set fields to cover all of his scoring areas. His audacity comes with risk, and he can exasperate as well as exhilarate, but at his best he can change a game in moments. Also a handy offspinner and outstanding fieldsman, he offers an impressive package in one-day and Twenty20 cricket. He made his name for Victoria with a 19-ball half-century against Tasmania in 2010-11, the fastest fifty in Australia’s one-day domestic history, and has transferred that talent to the international stage. At the 2015 World Cup he blasted a 51-ball century against Sri Lanka at the SCG, the fastest for Australia in ODIs and the second-quickest in World Cup history. It was also during early 2015 that Maxwell broke into the top 10 of the ICC one-day international batting rankings, which highlighted his improved consistency. Australia have also used Maxwell in Tests but to less effect – patience at the crease has not generally been one of his strengths. However, in Delhi in 2013 he had the distinction of opening the batting and bowling in the same Test, as Australia searched in vain for something to turn their disastrous series around.
ESPNcricinfo staff