UNB, Dhaka :
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has altered his bowling technique shortening his delivery stride to generate more dip and drift ahead of the tour of Bangladesh to strengthen his case as the squad’s fourth genuine spin-bowling option after Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson and Ashton Agar.
The Australian cricket team, led by Steve Smith, are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on August 18 to play a two-match Test series against the Tigers in Dhaka and Chittagong apart from a two-day tour match against BCB Eleven on Aug 22-23.
The first Test will be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on August 27-31 while the 2nd Test is billed for September 4-8 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
“I’ve shortened my bowling stride a little bit to make sure that I’ve got that drop on the ball and that I’m getting the shape that I actually want,” Maxwell said at Australia’s training camp in Darwin, reports espncricinfo on Tuesday.
“It’s obviously one of my skills that I can bring to the side, and something that’s going to help me try and nail down that No. 6 position, having that extra string to my bow,” he added
Maxwell is Australia’s incumbent No 6 after his comeback century against India in Ranchi in March – his first Test since 2014. However, Maxwell bowled just six overs in two Tests on spin-conducive surfaces in that series.
“I could understand why I wasn’t bowling at certain stages,” Maxwell said. “I suppose coming into this tour, I’m hoping that I can show that I’ve put a lot of work into my bowling and I can get that opportunity.”
Australia are likely to go in with two specialist spinners and Maxwell, but could consider the option of three genuine spinners if the pitches favour spin from the outset. To open that spot, Maxwell’s Victorian team-mate Peter Handscomb could be asked to keep wicket. Matthew Wade is the designated wicketkeeper in Australia’s squad for Bangladesh.
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has altered his bowling technique shortening his delivery stride to generate more dip and drift ahead of the tour of Bangladesh to strengthen his case as the squad’s fourth genuine spin-bowling option after Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson and Ashton Agar.
The Australian cricket team, led by Steve Smith, are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on August 18 to play a two-match Test series against the Tigers in Dhaka and Chittagong apart from a two-day tour match against BCB Eleven on Aug 22-23.
The first Test will be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on August 27-31 while the 2nd Test is billed for September 4-8 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
“I’ve shortened my bowling stride a little bit to make sure that I’ve got that drop on the ball and that I’m getting the shape that I actually want,” Maxwell said at Australia’s training camp in Darwin, reports espncricinfo on Tuesday.
“It’s obviously one of my skills that I can bring to the side, and something that’s going to help me try and nail down that No. 6 position, having that extra string to my bow,” he added
Maxwell is Australia’s incumbent No 6 after his comeback century against India in Ranchi in March – his first Test since 2014. However, Maxwell bowled just six overs in two Tests on spin-conducive surfaces in that series.
“I could understand why I wasn’t bowling at certain stages,” Maxwell said. “I suppose coming into this tour, I’m hoping that I can show that I’ve put a lot of work into my bowling and I can get that opportunity.”
Australia are likely to go in with two specialist spinners and Maxwell, but could consider the option of three genuine spinners if the pitches favour spin from the outset. To open that spot, Maxwell’s Victorian team-mate Peter Handscomb could be asked to keep wicket. Matthew Wade is the designated wicketkeeper in Australia’s squad for Bangladesh.
