Maxwell backed to make all-round impact

Glenn Maxwell's inclusion in Australia's 15-man 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup squad could be as much about his exploits with the ball as it is for his damaging capabilities with the bat.

A lean trot with the bat came to an end last night when the 26-year-old blasted 66 from 44 balls for the Melbourne Stars in the amazing KFC T20 Big Bash League win over cross-town rivals the Melbourne Renegades.

But Maxwell's deeds with the ball for his country in one-day cricket has him in line to be the first-choice spinner in Australia's World Cup campaign that begins on February 14 against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Tasmanian left-arm orthodox spinner Xavier Doherty was named in the 15-man squad by National Selection Panel chairman Rod Marsh today, but the combination of Australia's strong fast bowling stocks and the fast wickets the host nations are likely to provide means a spot for a specialist spinner in the final XI could be unlikely.

Doherty's selection in preference to Nathan Lyon also raised eyebrows. Lyon had been recalled to Australia's one-day outfit for the series in Zimbabwe and the UAE this year.

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Maxwell is a match-winner with the ball // Getty Images

In Maxwell, captain Michael Clarke – or his possible replacement George Bailey – has a more than capable slow-bowling option should the conditions suit.

And with the left-arm of Doherty spinning the ball the opposite way to Maxwell, that may have been enough to give the Tasmanian the edge over Lyon.

The off-spinner was Australia's second highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket in 2014 with 16 scalps, three behind fellow allrounder James Faulkner.

More impressively, Maxwell conceded less than five runs per over in the 16 matches he bowled in, including his famous double-wicket maiden against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi to seal a three-nil series win.

And the right-hander's record is equally good at home, taking 14 wickets in 15 matches at 4.92 runs per over, providing the selectors with the confidence he can perform the role as the sole spinner if required.

"Maxi is Maxi," Rod Marsh said at the squad announcement in Sydney today.

"We've got the upmost faith in Glenn Maxwell as a cricketer, and as a bloke.

"He'll do well, because he's in our 15. They'll all do well."

However, should the playing surface demand a specialist slow bowler, Doherty could expect to find his name on the team sheet and be tasked with bowling 10 overs of spin.

Australia's fifth group stage clash against Sri Lanka at the SCG on March 8 looms as a possible fixture where Doherty could play in tandem with Maxwell.

In 26 one-dayers in Australia, Doherty has played Sri Lanka 14 times, taking 10 wickets at 42.70, and conceding 4.54 runs per over.

However, in the past year Lyon has played six ODIs for a return of 10 wickets at 25.30 and an economy rate of 4.43. Doherty has also played six game for five wicket at 45.20 and an economy rate of 4.26.

But when it came to selecting a specialist spinner, the NSP opted for the experience of the south paw.

"We had to find what we thought was the best option," Marsh said.

"We fiddled around a bit and I think we had to do that to prove to ourselves what we wanted really.

"In the end, it boiled down to the fact that we thought Xavier was the right man."

Australia’s World Cup Fixtures

February 14: v England, 2:30pm at the MCG

February 21: v Bangladesh, 1:30pm at the Gabba

February 28: v New Zealand, 2:00pm at Eden Park (NZ)

March 4: v Afghanistan, 2:30pm at the WACA

March 8: v Sri Lanka, 2:30pm at the SCG

March 13: v Scotland, 2:30pm at Blundstone Arena

View the full fixture list here

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