"I love getting wickets…"- Glenn Maxwell eyes to play this crucial role for Australia with ball in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Glenn Maxwell will be vital for Australia in the T20 World Cup in India next year.

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell said that he is looking to play a crucial role with the ball for his team i the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February to March next year.

Maxwell, being a spin-bowling all-rounder, will be a crucial member for Australia in the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played in the sub-continent, where spinners get a lot of help. The ‘Big Show’ has been chipping in with crucial wickets for his team in the white-ball formats, despite being used as a part-timer. However, his part-time role with the ball might turn into a frontline spinner as the team will land in Asia for the tournament.

In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, the 36-year-old picked a two-wicket haul in the second T20I encounter. He dismissed crucial batters in skipper Aiden Markram and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the encounter, which Australia lost by 53 runs.

I love getting wickets: Glenn Maxwell

While speaking in the press conference ahead of the third T20I against South Africa, Maxwell said that he might bowl in the powerplay with the new ball in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

“I think in the sub-continent, you might be able to get a little bit more out of it as a spinner early on. Especially that new ball, the hard seam, being able to grip on those dry surfaces. So it might be something we think about heading forward,” he said.

“I’m just as surprised as anyone when I get a wicket. I love getting wickets. It’s very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I’m there to do a job in the Powerplay and I’m trying to execute that as well as I can,” he added.

In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, Maxwell is batting in the lower order. However, he was also tried as an opener in the previous T20I series against the West Indies. The Australian stalwart said that he is trying to be as adaptable as possible for his team in the batting department.

“I’ve been a bit of the shuffler around the order, up and down. I’m filling holes at the moment. Even during the West Indies series, trying to combat Akeal Hosein (by) going up the top, this series going a little bit lower, trying to manage that back end (of the innings),” he said.

(I am) trying to play whatever role is needed for me in this side and just try and be as adaptable as possible,” he further said.

Notably, Maxwell announced his retirement from ODI cricket in June this year. However, he will continue to play in T20Is and franchise T20 leagues around the world.

Meanwhile, the ongoing T20I series between Australia and South Africa is levelled 1-1 after two games. The hosts won the opening game by 17 runs.

However, the visitors made a comeback in the next encounter to capture a victory by 53 runs. The third T20I will be played on August 16 at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns.

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