Australia were looking for a barrel of 73/5 in the pursuit of 303 runs in the last ODI against England at Old Trafford. Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey were on the crease.
Maxwell has endured
his monsters for the past two years, his right hand having undergone surgery on
his elbow as he left the series to deal with mental health issues against Sri
Lanka. Kerry did not face the pressure exerted by an England player who has not
lost a single ODI series since 2015.
Then came an amazing turn. Kerry and
Maxwell broke centuries and stood for 212 for the sixth wicket, the best for
Australia in ODIs and the third-largest ever to help them cross the line by
three wickets. Maxwell's consistency earned him the Player of the Series award
when Australia avenged a 5-0 whitewash in 2018 in grand style. What caused
Maxwell's significant change? Two words Corona virus lockdown.
Victoria is one of the coveted hotspots in
Australia. With all cricketing in Melbourne and the entire state suspended,
Maxwell and his ODI captain Aaron Finch, both from the state, had no choice. It
was at this point that Maxwell formed a close relationship with Finch and decided
to improve his playing career.
Due to the corona virus epidemic, the
couple trained together and talked in cricket. These conversations shed light
on Maxwell's role in the team, which often seems a troubling question for
Finch, the selectors and Maxwell himself. Maxwell was ruled’ out of the 2019,
ICC Cricket World Cup in England and it was the worst tournament ever. However,
he batted at seven in Manchester last week, and it looks like he will probably
stay there.
"I just had to explain what (Finch) expected
of me in this role. I think I moved the game forward with this explanation
before this tournament, and at this pace. "I just know it's great to be
backed up," Maxwell said after the match.
England's Geo Bubble is a blueprint
Prior to the three-match series against
Ireland, Pakistan and Australia, England had played three Tests against the
West Indies at geo-safe locations in Southampton and Manchester after blocking
the Cove 19 in July.
"From where we were five months ago
when there was to be a complete set of international fixtures and bringing
cricket back to TV is a big thing for sports. I think we have boycotted and the
restoration of cricket is just right I think there was nothing positive about
this bubble - it's a very good example and every team around the world will
look at it, even if it's just a sample. Make it a little harder, but I think
the ECB has done a great job, "said Morgan.
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