Bengaluru: Glenn Maxwell would prefer batting higher up the order in ODIs, following his series-winning 113 at No. 4 in Australia’s seven-wicket victory against India in the second T20 International.
Maxwell bats at No. 7 in ODIs and would happily take a promotion in the five-match ODI series starting in Hyderabad 2 March.
The 30-year-old slammed his third T20 international 100 Wednesday night, an unbeaten 113 off 55 balls, to blow away India and win the series 2-0.
“In my case tonight, when I came out, it was 15 overs to go I think. And as long as I get a 80 or a 100 out of that even, if I am doing that at a No. 6 or a 7, it doesn’t really matter. It’s just me making the most of the opportunities when I get them,’ said Maxwell.
“It’s not easy to just come here and go like that because the ball is a lot older, the wicket’s gone a lot quicker here. Even tonight, at the end of the game, the wicket’s sort of drying out and there was scuffs all over it,” he added.
Maxwell believes that in ODIs, he will find it difficult to make a difference at No. 7 in most occasions and a promotion up the order may just suit his game.
“In one day cricket, it’s not as easy to go at the end. So, it would be nice to bat higher up but it depends on what happens in the top four or top five. If the opportunity does come up, I’d like to take it,” he said.
Maxwell was on the rampage, hitting bowlers to all corners of the park for nine sixes and seven fours. However, he felt that he did not take any needless risk.
“I think it’s just got to be about picking your moments. I think a little bit of it is that I have to go hard but I think I had been just picking off balls I can hit the boundaries in. Like today, I don’t think I took too many ridiculous risks and I feel I read the game really well and was able to hit the ball in areas where the fielders weren’t at all. There’s not many times I hit the ball straight over a fielder’s head but just place it in the gap and I feel that’s okay for me.”
“When I had a successful innings, if I am mistiming and it’s still falling in the gap but I have gotten in control and I really had a good read of the game and I was just one step ahead,” said Maxwell last night.