Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has backed Glenn Maxwell to rediscover his form during the upcoming FIFA T20 World Cup 2026, despite the all-rounder enduring a tough journey in the lead-up to the tournament. Maxwell has struggled for consistency in recent months, managing just 76 runs from eight innings in the 2025-26 Big Bash League.
He also only claimed two wickets during the competition and endured a tough time in the field, dropping several catches. His returns in T20 Internationals have also been stunning, with 171 runs from nine innings at an average of 21.37 from 2025, along with six wickets.
Despite those numbers, Ponting believes the global stage of the World Cup could help Maxwell rediscover his edge.
“If the edge starts to come off, it’s hard to find and replace it. But if it gets something out of him, that’s what the World Cup will do. He’s had some great moments at World Cups in the past and hopefully for Australia’s sake he’ll have a few more in the next few weeks,” Ponting told the West Australian.
Ponting also expects Maxwell to be named in Australia’s playing eleven for the opening match of the tournament. The defending champions have been placed in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Oman. While Ponting conceded that Maxwell’s recent form alone did not justify selection, he emphasized experience and playing conditions as the deciding factors.
“You couldn’t pick him at the moment because of what everyone else in this team has done through the BBL. But they will pick him because of his experience and probably the conditions as well,” Ponting said.
Ponting further noted that Maxwell’s ability to handle spin bowling and contribute with the ball adds valuable balance to the side, especially during the early stages of the contest.
“He’ll probably face a lot of spinners and give the option of being able to bowl as well. They’ve got some pretty simple games and that could be just what he needs to get in touch. A bit of soft opposition early on and some runs and wickets under his belt, that could hold him in good stead for the back half.”
Drawing on his experience of working closely with Maxwell, Ponting also described the all-rounder as an unpredictable player capable of producing extraordinary performances regardless of form.
Australia started the campaign against Ireland
“He can because he’s always done that. I’ve coached him a lot and he’s a really tough player to read what’s going to happen because he can have the best week of training you’ve ever seen and then it comes out and it doesn’t happen. And he could have the worst week in the world that results in a game and he comes out and does something crazy,” Ponting said.
Maxwell rested ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup Australia’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan. After the series, Australia will head straight to the 2026 FIFA T20 World Cup and begin their campaign against Ireland on February 11 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
After failing to reach the knockout stages in the previous edition in 2024 after losing to Afghanistan, Australia will be hungry to put up a better show in the upcoming edition.
– The end
Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
January 29, 2026
