Glenn Maxwell has the rawboned look of a cavalry officer, which is what Australia will need him to be if they are to stave off a series defeat in the second T20 against the Proteas in Melbourne today.
Stung by South Africa's comprehensive seven-wicket win in the first match of the series in Adelaide on Wednesday, the Aussies called in the cavalry yesterday by adding Maxwell to their squad.
The all-rounder is the only member of the squad that limped home after being thumped 2-0 by Pakistan in their Test series in the UAE to be called up for the T20s.
Maxwell led the Indian Premier League in hitting sixes this year, smashing 36 for Kings XI Punjab.
But the prospect of dealing with him did not daunt Kyle Abbott, who was asked what difference players like David Warner, also in the Test squad, and Maxwell would have made to the effort in Adelaide.
"They're two excellent players, but (Aaron) Finch, (Shane) Watson, (Cameron) White you can put in the same bracket as Warner and Maxwell," Abbott said. "It's just a name at the end of the day."
Finch, Watson and White were among Australia's more successful batsmen in Adelaide, but they could score only 85 runs between them. By contrast, Abbott's 3/21 had at least as much to do with SA's win as Rilee Rossouw's 78.
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