Australian legend Ricky Ponting believes Glenn Maxwell’s run as a key figure of the national side is over following a disastrous T20 World Cup campaign.
Following a poor Big Bash season, the 37-year-old managed scores of nine, 31 and 22 as Australia’s hopes fizzled in the group stage.
Despite a match with Oman left, the Aussies have already been eliminated from the tournament following losses to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
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But the short format remains firmly on the agenda in the coming years, with Australia and New Zealand hosting the next World Cup in 2028 before the Olympic Games and Ponting can’t see Maxwell being a part of those important tournaments.
Glenn Maxwell of Australia looks dejected ICC via Getty Images
“I think Mitchell Marsh will probably hang on long enough for that and I think Travis Head will definitely be around and (Josh) Inglis will be around,” he told The ICC Review.
“Steve Smith has been very vocal about him wanting to be a part of an Olympic team as well. Whether or not that happens is a different story. Cameron Green will be around if his form is good enough to stay in the side. You would think Nathan Ellis would be around, Xavier Bartlett will be there. Cooper Connolly would be there and thereabouts.
“Glenn Maxwell, I don’t think will be there. I think it looks to me like his career is coming towards an end.
“Marcus Stoinis would also probably be a question mark, but he’s predominantly playing only T20 cricket tournaments around the world these days. Doesn’t play a lot of state cricket and obviously plays the BBL, so with his all round ability, he might be there.
“There will be some change. Matthew Kuhnemann, he’s young enough to still be around as well if they decide to have two spinners in their lineups.”
Maxwell has thus far played down retirement talks in the aftermath of the tournament, desptie already calling it quits from ODIs.
Glenn Maxwell of Australia. ICC via Getty Images
Ponting remains stunned that Australia failed to beat Zimbabwe in a loss that ultimately sunk their tournament hopes.
“It’s been a really poor campaign, it has to be said,” Ponting said.
“They had some injury concerns at the start with (Josh) Hazlewood and (Pat) Cummins being ruled out and then Tim David not available right at the start as well.
“But I think just losing to Zimbabwe like they did, that’s going to be the game that they’re going to think back and think like that’s our World Cup gone, there and then.
“I think looking at the pool before the start of the tournament, I felt Sri Lanka would be difficult to beat at home and that’s certainly the way it turned out.
“They played really well against Australia. That was an amazing run chase when you look at it. That sort of score is never an easy one to chase down.
“But to think that Zimbabwe outplayed Australia in an ICC event, it’s those opportunities that you can’t afford to give up in a tournament like this.
Players of Zimbabwe celebrate victory following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Getty
“I think I said the other day that you look at that Australian team on paper, it just doesn’t look to have that sort of aura around it that a lot of other Australian teams have going into ICC events and World Cups,” he continued.
“You need to have your best players and your most experienced players standing up and winning big moments for you in these tournaments if you want to go ahead and win and Australia haven’t had that.
“They probably haven’t got enough out of their top order batting with Cameron Green at number three, and then Tim David coming in at number four for the last couple of games. Those two haven’t fired and Australia have lost early wickets certainly in the game against Zimbabwe.
Ponting knocked back suggestions that Australia doesn’t take T20 cricket particularly seriously, but admits a lengthy Ashes summer would have taken the energy out of them.
Steven Smith of Australia shakes hands with Pavan Rathnayake of Sri Lanka. Getty
“I’m not sure that that’s true. I think it’s probably hard for a lot of the players to get up immediately after an Ashes series. And let’s not forget, our guys just went through five really long Test matches and it’s physically and mentally draining for a couple of months,” he said.
“Some of the boys went back and played some BBL. The other guys decided to try and rest and freshen up and be ready for a World Cup.
“But trust me, any Australian team that I’ve been in or been around, yes, the (home) international series is important, Border-Gavaskar (Trophy) is important, but the reason you play is to win World Cups and win titles.
“The fact that we had as many players out as we did and some of our best players just not stepping up is the reason that you don’t win.”