A former test speed As the Melbourne Stars try to defy expectations and win their first championship, Peter Siddle has backed Glenn Maxwell to emerge from his slump in form and blow up during the BBL finals.
The Stars lost to the Perth Scorchers by six wickets on Saturday night, blowing the opportunity to finish first and earn two home finals. The Scorchers, in front of 48,608 spectators at Optus Stadium, chased down the victory target with 19 balls remaining after they were skittled for 130 in 18.2 overs.
Depending on the outcome of Sunday’s game between the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat at the Gabba, the Stars will either finish third or fourth, while the Scorchers won the top spot for a record sixth time in the championship.
The Stars are the only BBL team that hasn’t won a championship yet, and in order to do it this season, they will need to win three straight finals, at least two of them away from home.
Maxwell, who was joint player of the tournament the previous season but has only scored 67 runs across seven knocks this season, is one of their main worries. Maxwell has scored 2, 1, 1, 1, and 3, aside from an undefeated 39 against Thunder and 20 not out against Renegades.
Maxwell was dropped to the seventh position in the order against the Scorchers. In the 14th over, the 37-year-old came into the game at 100 for 5, but he only managed three runs off eight balls before skying a catch to the boundary.
Maxwell has repeatedly shown he can fire when his back is against the wall, according to Siddle, who at 41 is still a vital component of Stars’ pace attack.
“He’s in that position at the moment,” Siddle stated. “To ensure his comfort and happiness, you simply must let him go. He has been a star in knockout events and World Cup knockout games. Next week, I’m sure we’ll see the best of him because he’ll know what to do.”
Late in the Scorchers’ innings, Maxwell, who is also known for his superb fielding, missed a catch that he would have taken.
In spite of his lack of runs, Siddle commended Maxwell for his ability to share his experience with the team.
“He would have loved to have done more, but he’s still been great,” he stated. “He has benefited the boys, particularly the young batsmen, with the way he speaks to them, and they most likely had better seasons than we anticipated otherwise.
“So as much as he mightn’t have starred with the bat, his words and his leadership with those younger batsmen has he played a great role.”
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