All-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been endorsed by Shane Watson to win the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 and guide Australia to another ODI championship.
Even though Glenn Maxwell is 36 years old and has more than 250 international caps in three different formats, Watson is certain that his best cricket is still to come because of his performance in the Big Bash, when he was named one of two Players of the Series.
Australia, the current 50-over world champions and number two in the men’s ODI team rankings, go to Pakistan.
Their ability to win the trophy in Pakistan has been questioned, though, given they have only won one of their previous five ODI matches and are missing important bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.
But according to Watson, the two-time ICC Men’s Champions Trophy winner and one of the four Event Ambassadors for the 2025 tournament, they will be a formidable opponent, particularly if their dynamic all-rounder plays well.
“In my opinion, Glenn Maxwell is the most exceptional player,” he stated.
I think he has some of his finest cricket left in him for the next two or three years based on what I’ve seen recently, particularly in the Big Bash, and I’d be shocked if he didn’t win this Champions Trophy.
“He has occasionally battled to be consistent, but he had that amazing innings against Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where he got a double century. His position on the squad is characterized by that.
But for him now, everything seems to have clicked, and that applies to everything in his life, not just cricket, so I believe he will be a key player.
“Even though their bowling group may not have as much experience as they could have, I still think Australia will be very difficult to beat.”
Watson is undoubtedly aware of what it takes to win the Champions Trophy.
With a batting average of 57 not out, the former all-rounder helped Australia defeat the West Indies by eight wickets in the 2006 championship match.
Then, in 2009, he made the winning runs as Australia kept their trophy in South Africa and scored a century in both the semi-final and final.
A new generation of Australian bowlers, led by Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson, are made available by the absence of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc, who are out for personal and injury-related reasons.
With 10 ODI caps between them—Sean Abbott is the most seasoned fast bowler with 26—and ages 30 and 29, respectively, Watson is sure they can seize the moment.
“With this format, you have to be at your best in this event—you have to hit the ground running, let alone sprinting,” he stated.
“Even though Spencer Johnson doesn’t swing it very much, the ball rockets out of his hand. He is tall, quick, and has bounce, and it’s amazing to watch how effortless it is for him to bowl at the speeds he does. He has a fantastic opportunity.
“Sean Abbott has consistently performed admirably. He has excellent speed and a great release technique with the older ball.
Then there is Nathan Ellis, an extremely talented and incredibly underappreciated player in international cricket. Although he is well-known and performs admirably in franchise cricket, I believe this could be his breakthrough year in international cricket, so I’m interested to watch how he does.
“These quicks have all participated in high-pressure cricket in the Big Bash and other T20 tournaments; they know how to perform under pressure, even though they may lack collective experience in international matches.”
Australia will play South Africa in Rawalpindi on February 25 and Afghanistan in Lahore on February 28 after playing England in Lahore on Saturday to start their Group B campaign.
Watson thinks India will be a formidable opponent once more, but one of Australia’s old foes is also a serious danger.
He stated that “India has an extremely strong squad and the conditions will suit them of course.”
They will be difficult to defeat because they are a team accustomed to hot and muggy weather. From the last World Cup till today, there has been very little player churn, and it is difficult to ignore that consistency.
“I think Hardik Pandya is the crucial player for me because he can offer a great deal of flexibility and skill if he can stay in shape.
“South Africa is the other team that I truly like.” They have a ton of skill and advanced to the final of the most recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The batting lineup is excellent; they have David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, two of the world’s top short-format hitters. Additionally, they possess a variety of ball talents, and the spinners are a major asset there.
“I genuinely believe in this team, even if I am aware that they haven’t quite crossed the finish line at ICC competitions.
“This generation has the talent and lacks the scars, so I would be shocked if they don’t cross the finish line in an ICC tournament soon. The floodgates might open if they do.
India
