Glenn Maxwell says he will play in the IPL until he “can’t walk anymore” as he hopes younger Australian players earn the same opportunity overseas ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The veteran all-rounder says nothing has been able to replicate the experience of playing in the Indian competition and practise in the subcontinent conditions will be important for the turning decks expected in the West Indies next year.
Maxwell said Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ollie Davies and Stars teammate Sam Harper were among the players he was most excited to watch ahead of the BBL season, which begins on Thursday night.
“I think the best thing about a World Cup is that it creates so much chat around young players coming through – guys like (Jake) Fraser-McGurk, Ollie Davies, these young guys who have so much talent and are so good to watch,” he said.
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“Sam Harper for us … I’m hoping it’s going be a really exciting summer for the BBL, with what is just around the corner.
“Hopefully, a little bit more importance on putting your name up in the headlines for the right reasons and trying to push for those spots.”
Maxwell spoke glowingly of his time in the IPL, with at least 16 Australians vying to add to the 10-man contingent retained by their franchises ahead of the 2024 tournament.
He said he hoped as many national teammates as possible earnt spots at the December 19 auction, with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis gunning for his first IPL berth and Travis Head set to fetch a huge price in his return to the competition after a seven-year absence.
“The IPL will probably be the last tournament I ever play, as in I will play the IPL until I can’t walk anymore,” Maxwell said.
“I was talking about how good the IPL has been to me I suppose throughout my career – the people I’ve met, the coaches I have played under, the international players that you get to rub shoulders with and how beneficial to my whole career that tournament has been.
“It’s probably been hard to recreate that in any other series or tournament around the world.
“Even at the World Cup, you only play against the opposition quickly, get two minutes’ chat after the game and that’s it, whereas in the IPL you’re rubbing shoulders with AB (de Villiers) and Virat (Kohli) for two months, talking to them while watching other games … it’s the greatest learning experience anyone could ever ask for.”
Before the Stars flew to Brisbane for the season opener against the Heat at the Gabba, Maxwell said his side was relieved to have secured Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf in time for the clash after it briefly appeared his bid to play would be blocked by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“It’s been a stressful couple of days trying to get that over the line, but we’re very excited to have him and Usama (Mir) here as well,” he said.
“(Rauf) is going to be electric for us this year, we’re very thankful to have him back.”
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