Champions Trophy: Shane Watson Backs Glenn Maxwell To Shine

February 21, 2025: Ahead of Australia’s campaign opener in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against England, former all-rounder Shane Watson has expressed confidence in Glenn Maxwell, predicting that the seasoned cricketer still has his best cricket ahead of him and will play a crucial role in his team’s success.

Australia is set to face England in Lahore on Saturday, February 24, followed by matches against South Africa (February 25) in Rawalpindi and Afghanistan (February 28) in Lahore. Maxwell, despite being 36 years old and having played over 250 international matches across all formats, has been in impressive form, especially in the Big Bash League. Maxwell scored 325 runs in nine matches during the tournament at an average of 54.16 and a striking rate of 186.78, including three fifties. He also contributed with the ball, taking a wicket.

Despite his Big Bash success, Maxwell’s international form has been inconsistent, which is often expected of an attacking all-rounder like him. In his recent outings, he has scored only 56 runs and taken five wickets across seven innings. However, Watson, a two-time ICC Men’s Champions Trophy winner, remains convinced that Maxwell still has his best cricket to come, especially with his recent good form.

Australia enters the tournament as the reigning World Cup champions and sits second in the ICC ODI team rankings. However, they have struggled recently, winning only one of their last five ODI matches. With key bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc missing from the squad, the team’s ability to defend the title is under question.

Nevertheless, Watson insists that Maxwell’s explosive capabilities can turn the tide for Australia. “The stand-out player for me is Glenn Maxwell,” Watson said, according to ICC. “With what I have seen recently, especially in the Big Bash, I believe he has some of his best cricket in front of him across the next two or three years, and I would be very surprised if he does not dominate this Champions Trophy.”

He added that Maxwell’s remarkable innings against Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where he scored a double century, was evidence of his potential to shine. However, Maxwell has often been inconsistent, which is expected given his role as an attacking all-rounder. Still, Watson believes that Maxwell has found his rhythm both on and off the field, positioning him as a pivotal player in Australia’s quest for success in the Champions Trophy.

Maxwell has been excellent for Australia in white-ball ICC events, accumulating 901 runs from 27 matches and 25 innings in the ODI World Cups since 2015. He boasts an impressive average of 47.42 and a strike rate of 160.32, with three centuries and two fifties. In the Champions Trophy, Maxwell has scored 81 runs from five matches at an average of 40.50, with a best score of 32.