Glenn Maxwell has publicly articulated an intention to expand his bowling workload during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. The Australian all-rounder has long been recognised for his explosive batting but now invites greater reliance on his off-spin in subcontinental conditions he regards as propitious for his craft.
The tournament will occur in India and Sri Lanka, venues historically conducive to slow bowling. Maxwell has indicated a desire to be entrusted with the new ball during the powerplay overs, arguing that the combination of seam movement off the surface and the wobble he can generate with a fresh ball would permit him to strike early while keeping the scoring rate in check.
That may sound unusual, but he already tested the idea during Australia’s T20I series in South Africa. In the first match, he bowled in the fifth over and dismissed Lhuan-dre Pretorius, finishing with 1 for 29. In the second game, he struck twice, removing Aiden Markram and Pretorius, though he conceded 44 runs.
Across his T20I career, Maxwell has taken 49 wickets in 123 matches at an average of 29.73. According to ESPNcricinfo, 16 of those wickets have come in the first six overs, even if his economy rate there is on the higher side at 9.28. He has also delivered key spells in franchise cricket, including a handful of wickets for Punjab Kings in the 2025 IPL.
Maxwell’s batting continues to shift with team needs. He has opened in the absence of Travis Head, and he has also played as a finisher alongside Australia’s in-form middle order. He is still looking for runs in the South Africa series, but his overall record remains one of the strongest in Australia’s T20I history: 2,771 runs at a strike rate of 155.67 with five centuries, the most by any Australian in the format.
Whether he becomes a frontline bowling option in the World Cup is uncertain. But his intent is clear. Maxwell wants to be more than a batting powerhouse in the subcontinent. He wants the ball early, and he wants responsibility.
