The full Maxwell
Plays of the day from the third Twenty20 between Australia and South Africa in Sydney
Daniel Brettig
09-Nov-2014
The full array of Glenn Maxwell's hyperactive batting was on display in Sydney • Getty Images
The new ball
Australia excelled on a bouncy surface at the MCG, but the Stadium Australia drop-in is notably more sluggish, and after Doug Bollinger extracted precious little life from the first over, Aaron Finch called on Glenn Maxwell to share the new ball, as he had done in the UAE against Pakistan. Conceding only five singles from his six balls, Maxwell did his job effectively, if without the occasionally hare-brained flair of his batting.
Australia excelled on a bouncy surface at the MCG, but the Stadium Australia drop-in is notably more sluggish, and after Doug Bollinger extracted precious little life from the first over, Aaron Finch called on Glenn Maxwell to share the new ball, as he had done in the UAE against Pakistan. Conceding only five singles from his six balls, Maxwell did his job effectively, if without the occasionally hare-brained flair of his batting.
The straight six
Quinton de Kock was soon into stride in partnership with Reeza Hendricks, and when Pat Cummins entered the attack they had motored to 68 in eight overs. Cummins' variations in pace have been a feature of his bowling in this series and a reason for his late introduction to the attack. But his fooling of de Kock this first over was poorly rewarded as the extremely short straight boundaries at the ground allowed one miscued drive at a slower cutter to carry for six. Cummins had his revenge next ball however, as a short ball was tickled behind for Australia's first wicket.
Quinton de Kock was soon into stride in partnership with Reeza Hendricks, and when Pat Cummins entered the attack they had motored to 68 in eight overs. Cummins' variations in pace have been a feature of his bowling in this series and a reason for his late introduction to the attack. But his fooling of de Kock this first over was poorly rewarded as the extremely short straight boundaries at the ground allowed one miscued drive at a slower cutter to carry for six. Cummins had his revenge next ball however, as a short ball was tickled behind for Australia's first wicket.
The dreaded moment
When David Wiese pitched his fourth ball short, Finch swivelled instinctively to pull the ball, as he had already done once for a boundary. But JP Duminy had posted Marchant de Lange in an unusual backward square leg or square fine leg, perhaps in a nod to the slowness of the pitch. Finch struck the ball at more or less the same moment he realised de Lange was waiting on just that shot, and let out a helpless "Oh no", as the ball settled into the fielder's hands.
When David Wiese pitched his fourth ball short, Finch swivelled instinctively to pull the ball, as he had already done once for a boundary. But JP Duminy had posted Marchant de Lange in an unusual backward square leg or square fine leg, perhaps in a nod to the slowness of the pitch. Finch struck the ball at more or less the same moment he realised de Lange was waiting on just that shot, and let out a helpless "Oh no", as the ball settled into the fielder's hands.
The full Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell has been the subject of much discussion over the past week, from his selection at No. 3 in a Test match to his indignant defence of some intemperate shot selection during the two innings. His brief knock would sum up all there is to enjoy - and decry - about Maxwell's hyperactive approach to batting. There was one brilliant straight six, a missed reverse sweep, then a far better connection for a boundary, a lucky escape as David Wiese failed to claim a catch diving forward, and finally a dismissal for 23 when trying to slog Robin Peterson out of the ground. It was the full Maxwell.
Glenn Maxwell has been the subject of much discussion over the past week, from his selection at No. 3 in a Test match to his indignant defence of some intemperate shot selection during the two innings. His brief knock would sum up all there is to enjoy - and decry - about Maxwell's hyperactive approach to batting. There was one brilliant straight six, a missed reverse sweep, then a far better connection for a boundary, a lucky escape as David Wiese failed to claim a catch diving forward, and finally a dismissal for 23 when trying to slog Robin Peterson out of the ground. It was the full Maxwell.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig