21 hours ago
3
It’s lucky form doesn’t seem to matter much in T20 cricket because Glenn Maxwell’s form in the BBL would be a worry if it did.
He is officially in a slump and the Stars have joined him, as they continue down a familiar road of promising plenty and delivering little.
Maxwell lasted four balls before being caught on Thursday night.Credit: Getty Images
In Thursday night’s loss to the Sydney Sixers, the key player in Australia’s upcoming T20 World Cup campaign in February failed again as the Melbourne Stars lost their third game in a row.
They never looked like defeating the Sixers, who passed the Stars’ measly total of 128 with 17 balls remaining to set up an important clash against the Renegades at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
But the only interest out of the night was the performance - or more accurately non-performance - of Maxwell.
Maxwell lasted four balls before being caught at cover trying to hit Jack Edwards high on to the hill that looks over the bridge to the MCG.
His score was one. He has now reached that total in his first three innings of 2026 as he struggles to rediscover the form he was in when he suffered an ill-timed wrist injury in September last year.
Apart from an impressive 39 runs off 20 balls to defeat Sydney Thunder in a run chase in Canberra on December 28, Maxwell has scored just five runs from the 14 balls he has faced in his other four innings this tournament.
Adding a score of two in one international innings - against India in November when no one was taking any notice - off four balls again (he has been dismissed on his fourth ball in four of his past six knocks) only exacerbates his tale of woe.
Only a racehorse owner would like the set of numbers Maxwell has created.
Glenn Maxwell after being dismissed against the Renegades on SundayCredit: Getty Images
It’s hard to argue any of this matters, of course, for Australia’s tilt at the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India because potential to damage is more important than form.
And there are still few in world cricket able to change the course of a match quicker than Maxwell.
But the lack of runs will matter to the Melbourne Stars if Maxwell can’t last past four balls an innings with his minimal contribution in the past three matches a factor in their three losses which have them back mid-table after promising plenty with four wins to open the Big Bash.
It’s familiar territory for Stars fans as they take on the Renegades in winning form for the second derby in less than a week.
They need Maxwell to deliver. He’s now due.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Most Viewed in Sport
Loading
