Former Australian Cricket Team Player Shane Watson has thrown his support behind all-rounder Glenn Maxwell predicting that he will lead Australian National Cricket Team to glory in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Watson who played a pivotal role in Australia’s past successes, believes Maxwell’s recent form in the Big Bash League (BBL) suggests that the 36-year-old is set for an outstanding run in international cricket over the next few years.

shane-watson-backs-glenn-maxwell-to-dominate-icc-ct-2025Maxwell who boasts over 250 international caps across all three formats was named one of the two Players of the Series in the latest Big Bash League. His explosive batting and valuable all-round capabilities have left Watson convinced that his best performances are yet to come.

“The stand-out player for me is Glenn Maxwell. With what I have seen recently, especially in the Big Bash, I believe he has some of his best cricket in front of him across the next two or three years, and I would be very surprised if he does not dominate this Champions Trophy,” Watson said, as quoted by the ICC.

Referring to Maxwell’s stunning double century against Afghanistan National Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Watson acknowledged that while the all-rounder has had challenges with consistency his recent performances suggest a turning point in his career. “It now just feels like it has all fallen into place for him, and that’s with everything in his life, not just his cricket, so I think he will play a pivotal part,” Watson added.

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Beyond Maxwell, Watson expressed confidence in Australia’s prospects, even with the absence of key fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc due to injuries and personal reasons.

“I think Australia will be very hard to beat, even if their bowling squad is not quite as experienced as they might otherwise have been," he added

“You have to be at your very best in this event, with this format – you have to hit the ground sprinting, let alone running,” he said.

“Spencer Johnson doesn’t swing it much but the ball flies out of his hand, he’s quick, he’s tall, he gets bounce and it is beautiful to see how easy it he finds it to bowl at the speeds he does. It’s a great opportunity for him.Sean Abbott has always done a really nice job. He is great with the older ball, the way he releases it, and has great speed" he said.

“And then there is Nathan Ellis, who is highly skilled and massively under-rated in international cricket. He is a known force in franchise cricket and does a great job but I think this could be his breakout year in international cricket, so I am excited to see how he goesThey may be inexperienced as a group in internationals but these quicks have all played high-pressure cricket in the Big Bash and other T20 tournaments they know how to execute under pressure." He also said.