Head coach Justin Langer believes Glenn Maxwell can be the Virat Kohli for Australia if he can maintain the remarkable consistency he has displayed in the recent ODI series against Pakistan and India.
Maxwell was in sensational form as Australia came from behind to beat India 3-2 in their own backyard before inflicting a 5-0 whitewash over Pakistan in the UAE.
The right-handed batsman’s career has been plagued by inconsistency but he has been in the mood over the last two months with his form in the series win over Pakistan being exceptional.
In the final three ODIs against Pakistan, Maxwell registered scores of 71, 98 and 70. Langer believes that the 30-year-old is capable of translating the form in limited-overs cricket into the Test format as well.
“The challenge for him is, and I’ve said this to him – we’ve just seen Virat Kohli, who is an extraordinarily talented player, he averages 60 (59.57) in ODI cricket; he is a great player – at the moment, in 99 games, Maxi averages 32 or 33. He can be Virat Kohli. He has got the talent to do that,” Langer was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Maxwell was sensational against both India and Pakistan.
“The way he played that T20 hundred in India, the way he played both T20s – we know he’s a great T20 player. His next challenge is to become a great ODI player and then potentially a Test player.
“So, there’s huge upside for him and while he keeps practicing with the purpose he’s got and winning games of cricket like he is, it’s great to have him. It’s obviously a massive challenge, isn’t it?”
Australia’s 20-run win over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday was Maxwell’s 100th ODI appearance for his country. The right-hander has now scored 2,700 runs in those matches at an average of 33.33 with the help of one ton and 19 half-centuries.
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