Australia V South Africa: Glenn Maxwell included in Aussie team for Twenty20 series
Thursday 6 November 2014 10:18, UK
Australia have reacted quickly to their Twenty20 defeat to South Africa by drafting in all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for the rest of the three-match series.
The Aussies were beaten by seven wickets at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday after Proteas left-hander Rilee Rossouw smashed 78 from 50 balls.
Australia suffered with a lack of variation in their bowling and T20 captain Aaron Finch believes an off-break spinner in Maxwell could help solve the problem.
“We've seen how good he is with the bat in the shortest format of the game," Finch said.
“He also gives us another option for the ball. With so many left-handers in the side, he was probably the type of player we could have done with on Wednesday – an off-spinning all-rounder who can pinch an over here and there.”
Maxwell, 26, only returned from Australia's 2-0 Test series loss to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday and he will go straight into the side for the next T20 in Melbourne on Friday.
Former Aussie skippers Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Allan Border have all backed current captain Michael Clarke after defeat in the Middle East.
Clarke endured a barrage of questions from Australian media on his return home over whether he is still the best man to lead the side.
But Ponting said: “That was quite ridiculous, to tell you the truth. The team's done some amazing things in the last couple of years and got themselves back up to No 1 in two forms of the game.”
Waugh said: “I can't understand the criticism. I mean, every player goes through a time where they're not scoring runs but he's had an incredible run.”
And Border said: “His critics have got short memories. A couple of weeks of poor cricket doesn't change the quality. I think he's definitely the right bloke."
