‘I got too funky’: Maxwell

Melbourne Stars allrounder Glenn Maxwell has spoken about the “sickening feeling” during the infamous leave against Brisbane Heat seamer Ryan Duffield in the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Maxwell’s shot, or as it were, no shot, left players on the field, fans at the Gabba and pundits in the commentary box speechless after watching the 26-year-old shoulder arms to Duffield’s hooping inswinger. 

Commentators Adam Gilchrist and Damien Fleming were left stunned

The dynamic allrounder is known for his innovative and unorthodox stroke play, but he admits his creative approach got the better of him on that occasion.

 “It’s hard to understand - you make that split second decision,” Maxwell told cricket.com.au.

“And that’s the thing, I probably got a little bit too funky, tried to back away first ball and there was that split second when he let the ball go where I thought it was going to be wide,” Maxwell told cricket.com.au.

“You make your mind up in that little split second.

“When it was halfway down the wicket and I knew it was swinging back, that sickening feeling goes through your stomach where you just go ‘I’m not going to play a shot here and it’s going to hit the stumps’.

“And sure enough, I watched the ball swing back, pitch on middle and off and hit middle and leg.

“It was actually a fair ball. If I had have actually stood there I probably would have been out lb.”

The video of the dismissal went viral on social media platforms across the globe, trending worldwide on Twitter moments after the event.

Maxwell’s daredevil approach to batting garners applause and criticism each time he takes guard, and following a run of low scores with the bat, the right-hander was under the microscope more than ever.

“It got a lot of eyeballs,” Maxwell said.

“Especially when you’re under a bit of pressure. (When) you haven’t scored the runs that you would want, it’s not a good look.

“Since the first game when I got out when I didn’t hit it and that was pretty well viewed as well. But I think the leave has got a bit more air time though.” 

Mark Taylor and Shane Warne offered some advice to the young star

Maxwell’s destructive capability with the bat sees him constantly referred to as a player with the intangible ‘X-factor’ quality.

The risks Maxwell takes that thrill the crowd and frighten the opposition are the same risks that put his wicket in jeopardy and, as it has in recent times, see him fall cheaply.

But when it comes to dealing with expectation, it’s not the pressure of the public or media that he’s concerned with.

“It’s only the pressure I put on myself,” he said.

“I try not to listen to any of the stuff outside. I call the people I want advice from, I talk to them, and that’s how I deal with it.

“At the moment I’ve got all the right people around me. I’ve just got to start making some runs.?

Maxwell made 23 from 15 balls in the Stars thrilling super over win over the Sydney Sixers five days ago, and has another opportunity tonight to register a big score before Australia’s 15-man World Cup is announced tomorrow in Sydney.