Delhi Daredevils pick Bodi, Maxwell

Delhi Daredevils have picked Victoria allrounder Glenn Maxwell and South Africa batsman Gulam Bodi in their squad for the upcoming IPL season, in place of Colin Ingram and Travis Birt.

Maxwell, 23, has played 14 List A games, averaging 25.44 and has picked up nine wickets at 37.55 in the format. He holds the record for the fastest half-century, off 17 balls, in domestic List A cricket in Australia. He's also played 11 first-class matches, a format he's fared better in, and as many Twenty20 games.

"When Aashish [Kapoor, the Daredevils team manager] and I watched Glenn in the Emerging Players' Tournament in Australia in July last, we saw him as a player of immense potential who loves being in the contest," the Daredevils team mentor TA Sekar said in a release. "When we watched him bat, we were reminded of how we had spotted David Warner in 2008. We believe Glenn will play for Australia soon.

"Besides being a dashing batsman, Glenn is a solid offspinner and an amazing fielder, with infectious enthusiasm," Sekar said. "A multi-skilled player like him will add immense value to the side."

Bodi, 33, has played two ODIs and a Twenty20 for South Africa. He made his first-class debut in 1996-97 and since then has played 131 List A matches in which he's averaged 32.40. He's also played 64 Twenty20s, averaging 29.29 with a highest of 98 not out. Sekar said he remains a middle-order option.

"Gulam was the best available replacement, given that we had to find someone within Birt's base price," he said. "Just the other day, he made a belligerent 90 off 51 balls with seven fours and five sixes for the Lions against the Warriors in the Twenty20 Challenge in South Africa."