Dale Steyn Hails His BBL Skipper Glenn Maxwell; Compares Him To AB De Villiers And Virender Sehwag

Veteran fast bowler Dale Steyn had a very average start to his Big Bash League (BBL) campaign with Melbourne Stars. He returned with one for 29 in his three overs and also suffered a defeat against Adelaide Strikers. As he looks to move on, Steyn has heaped praise on his franchise skipper Glenn Maxwell the T20 batting superstar to legends like AB de Villiers and Virender Sehwag.

A T20 genius, Maxwell almost snatched the game from Adelaide with a 25-ball 43 runs blitz. But Peter Siddle’s outstanding return with three for 24 helped Adelaide take home the game. The firepower included four sixes and was another remarkable example of Glenn Maxwell’s powerful hitting, just a week on from his match-winning 83 from 39 balls against the Heat in his first game back after taking a break from cricket.

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Dale Steyn compares Glenn Maxwell to AB de Villiers, Virender Sehwag

Speaking at the end of the game, Dale Steyn showered praise on Glenn Maxwell, who is currently the No. 5 batsman in ICC’s T20I Rankings. The fast bowler from South Africa said that Maxwell would have easily got the Mr. 360 tag if AB de Villiers was not around

“When it comes to T20, you very rarely get guys that strike it as cleanly as he does,” Steyn said post-match. “He’s very smart, too, the way he goes about it. You talk about guys like AB de Villiers being a 360 (degree) player but ‘Maxi’ is up there, too.

“It’s just a nickname that AB’s earned because he plays like that, but had AB not been around you could’ve easily nicknamed someone like Maxi ‘Mr 360’ because he’s got that capability of taking you down in areas you don’t want the ball to go,” he added.

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Furthermore, Glenn Maxwell’s clean hitting reminded Dale Steyn of former devastating India opener Virender Sehwag. Steyn, who announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year, also called Maxwell a great thinker of the game who can also execute the plans. Most recently, the Aussie all-rounder bagged a good amount during the IPL auction.

“He’s got strong wrists – there’s not many players that can hit you for six over point; Sehwag was someone that could open the blade like that. (Maxwell is) very clever because the next ball he could flick you over deep square, so as a bowler you’re always guessing what he’s up to. “He’s a phenomenal thinker of the game, and then ultimately he can execute, too,” Steyn concluded.

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