Marsh praised Maxwell’s performance, saying, “It was a great spell. He came back after having not played much cricket for the last (few) months… It is the energy that Maxi brings to the team, his presence, and the balance that he gives us.”
Maxwell’s versatility as an all-rounder is seen as a valuable asset for Australia in the World Cup. Marsh emphasized the importance of Maxwell’s role, stating, “But just the ability for us to play the three quicks, a spinner and have Maxi who has the ability on the right wicket to bowl ten overs, I think you see a lot of teams around the world have guys like Maxi; it gives you a lot of flexibility with the teams you can pick or the way you can structure your batting lineup.”
Reflecting on his own performance, Marsh, who scored a match-winning 96 in the first innings, explained that he was unable to field in the second innings due to cramps caused by the extreme heat and humidity. Despite missing out on a century, Marsh praised the team’s overall performance, stating that it provided a good template for their approach to cricket in preparation for the World Cup.
Marsh also highlighted the clarity of his role in the team and his opportunity to open the innings, which has brought him closer to achieving his first ODI century since 2016. He acknowledged the challenge of scoring centuries when batting in the middle to lower order and expressed his desire to set the platform for the team at the top of the order.
Overall, Maxwell’s return and Marsh’s form provide Australia with valuable options as they prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup, enhancing the team’s flexibility and balance.
(With PTI inputs)