- Glenn Maxwell’s passion for international cricket hasn’t waned
- Declared he will play in IPL ‘until he can’t walk anymore’
- Focus now turns to Big Bash with the Melbourne Stars
Glenn Maxwell has revealed when he will walk away from T20 cricket – and it won’t be anytime soon.
Australia’s ODI World Cup hero in India recently turned 35, but his passion for the shortened version of the sport remains.
Speaking ahead of the 13th version of the T20 Big Bash on Australian shores – which starts on Thursday night in Brisbane when the Heat host the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba – the ‘Big Show’ declared he will continue to play in the Indian Premier League for as long as his body holds up.
‘The IPL will probably be the last tournament I ever play, as in I will play the IPL until I can’t walk anymore,’ he said.
‘The IPL has been good to me throughout my career – the people I’ve met, the coaches I have played under, the international players that you get to rub shoulders with and how beneficial to my whole career that tournament has been.
Glenn Maxwell – Australia’s hero at the recent ODI World Cup – has revealed when he will walk away from T20 cricket
The 35-year-old believes playing in the Indian Premier League has taken his game to another level
Maxwell’s immediate focus is leading the Melbourne Stars to BBL glory, with the trophy eluding the men in green dating back to 2011
‘It’s probably been hard to recreate that in any other series or tournament around the world.
‘Even at the World Cup, you only play against the opposition quickly, get two minutes’ chat after the game and that’s it.
‘In the IPL, you’re rubbing shoulders with AB (de Villiers) and Virat (Kohli) for two months, talking to them while watching other games… it’s the greatest learning experience anyone could ever ask for.’
Maxwell’s immediate focus is leading the Melbourne Stars to BBL glory this summer, with the trophy eluding the men in green dating back to 2011.
He missed last summer after breaking his leg at a friend’s birthday, and is keen to make up for lost time.
The veteran is also looking forward to seeing generation next stamp their class on the competition.
‘Guys like [Melbourne Renegades young gun] Jake Fraser-McGurk and [Sydney Thunder batsman] Ollie Davies….these young guys have so much talent and are so good to watch,’ Maxwell said.
‘Sam Harper is another for us [at the Stars] … I’m hoping it’s going be a really exciting summer for the BBL.’