“Everyone Is Looking Forward To Hitting The Ground” – Glenn Maxwell Opens Up On

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) superstar Glenn Maxwell feels Australian cricketers will benefit from playing in the second phase of IPL 2021 in the UAE in the lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup, slated to commence on October 17 in the UAE and Oman.

Incidentally, there were speculations about Aussie cricketers plying their trade in the remainder of IPL 2021. Limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch also fired shots at the cricketers for skipping international assignments and playing in the IPL.

 

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However, Glenn Maxwell believes Australians will actually benefit from participating in the IPL. Speaking to icc.cricket.com, Glenn Maxwell said:

“The fact we’ve got a lot of guys going over for the IPL as a preparation, get a few games in those conditions, it’s going to do wonders for our batters. Our bowlers are going to be up and firing by the time the tournament starts. I can assure you everyone is looking forward to hitting the ground running over there.”

Apart from Maxwell, several other key members of Australia’s T20 WC squad will feature in the second phase of the IPL. They include David Warner (SunRisers Hyderabad), Steve Smith (Delhi Capitals), Josh Hazlewood (Chennai Super Kings), Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Capitals).

“I think it has probably levelled the playing field a fair bit” – Glenn Maxwell

Australia have named their squad as they chase their first Men's T20 World Cup trophy 🏆

More: https://t.co/OcVYQdSiH5 pic.twitter.com/Zzcl7apKMB

— ICC (@ICC) August 19, 2021

Speaking further, Glenn Maxwell shared that having the tournament in the UAE will level the field for every team as it rules out the home advantage.

“The tournament being in UAE probably levels the playing field a little bit. Probably makes it a little bit easier for there not to be as much of a home ground advantage. For the IPL to be there to have a lot of international players that are potentially going to be in that World Cup over there playing, I think it has probably levelled the playing field a fair bit,” he added. 

Australia are in Group 1 with West Indies, and former champions England and South Africa. Australia will open their campaign against the Proteas in Abu Dhabi on October 23.