Australia's swashbuckling one-day cricketer Glenn Maxwell is all set to play a key role against spin happy India with his 'semi threatening' bowling at the SCG, and is hoping that the memory of his side's dominant form against Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men in the summer would be 'pretty clear' in the defending champion's mind when the two sides face each other in the World Cup semifinal on Thursday.
Australia has effectively put a line through Xavier Doherty's name, despite the fact Thursday's semifinal SCG pitch could suit India's spin-happy game plan, which means that batting all-rounder Maxwell would not only be the side's x-factor power hitter, but he'll be called upon to step up as the frontline spinner as well.
Maxwell's Australian-record 51-ball hundred against Sri Lanka at the SCG two weeks ago, the first century of his career, was the highlight of what's been a spectacular tournament for him, News.com.au reported.
India has beaten Australia only once in an ODI at the SCG, back in 2008, although a partisan subcontinent crowd and mystery conditions is making for a tricky match-up for the in-form hosts.
Maxwell, however, feels that the pressure would be on India. He said that the defending champions haven't won a game against Australia all summer, adding that hopefully they can make the most of that.
The all-rounder is hoping that that is pretty clear in the Indian squad's memories. He added that they have been dominant all summer in the ODI format, insisting that he has taken a couple of wickets this tournament which has been nice and he feels like he has been doing the job that Clarke has been asking of him whenever he has come on.
Maxwell also said that spin coach John Davison has told him that his shape was looking really good against Pakistan and it's starting to become a bit more of a frontline spinner's action instead of being just a run-stopping option.
Maxwell even joked about his bowling having become 'semi-threatening', compared to previously just going and putting the ball on a tee.
