MELBOURNE: All-rounder Glenn Maxwell is relieved to see his name in Australia’s 15-man squad for the forthcoming ICC World Cup, and says he is confident about putting on a good show at the 10-nation mega event starting late May.

Maxwell, 30, has enjoyed a purple patch in recent times, and that solidified his claim to a spot in Australia’s World Cup squad. For people on the outside, Maxwell’s inclusion seemed a formality. Maxwell himself wasn’t as sure, though, and his first reaction was one of relief after the news was out.

The 100-ODI Maxwell has been central to Australia’s resurgence in the fifty-over format. So far in 2019, the right-handed batsman has scored 458 runs at a healthy average of 41.63, striking at 126.51. He made noteworthy contributions in the this year’s ODIs against India and Pakistan, as Australia won both series away from home. As a part-time off-spinner, Maxwell has bagged 50 ODI wickets.

“I’ve definitely gone through stages over the last 12 months where I’ve doubted if I might even have been there,” Maxwell told SEN Radio when asked of his World Cup selection. “To be actually finally named you look back and feel proud of all the work you’ve put in.”

“That’s what gives me confidence for this World Cup: I’m coming in in good international form, and there’s a bit of trust within the team to play my role. I feel like I’ve got a certain role now which is a nice feeling as well.”

According to Maxwell, his recent form gives him confidence ahead of the World Cup.

“To perform the way I did in India and Dubai gave me a lot of confidence going forward, that I was still good enough to dominate and do really well at this level.

Despite that, Maxwell knows there’s work to be done. His recent runs have come in Asian conditions, which are vastly different to what they’re likely to be in England. So he’s signed up with Lancashire in a bid to prepare as best as he can.

“I’m going to need a slightly different technique to what I needed in Dubai but that’s something I’m working on over here and was the whole reason I wanted to come over,” the Aussie cricketer said. “To get myself prepared for the World Cup, and make sure I’m not leaving any stone unturned.”

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2019