Heat in bid to subdue ‘Maxi’
BRISBANE Heat leg spinner Mitchell Swepson is thrilled Glenn Maxwell will return to cricket in tonight’s Twenty20 Big Bash League match on the Gold Coast, even if he is playing for the opposition.
Maxwell will make his playing return for the Melbourne Stars at Carrara’s Metricon Stadium after taking a break from the game in October because of mental health reasons.
The all-rounder joined the Stars in their pre-season camp and will be captaining tonight.
“The most important thing is having the guys that are the entertainers and the best players playing in the Big Bash and he’s obviously one of them,” Swepson said.
“He’s proven himself on the international stage and in Twenty20 comps all around the world so to have him back happy, healthy and ready to play is great.
“He’s a game-winner and you want to play against the best players.
You want to challenge yourself against the best, so it is great that he is ready to go.”
Tonight’s game is the Stars’ first of the tournament and will also be the Big Bash League debut for veteran
South African quick Dale
Steyn.
The Heat are out to rebound from Tuesday’s firstup defeat to a Callum Ferguson-inspired Sydney Thunder and live up to their billing as title favourites. Despite taking 2-11 to be the pick of the Heat’s bowlers in that match at the Gabba, Swepson only bowled two overs.
He’ll be hoping to get his full complement of four at a Metricon Stadium pitch the Heat believe will be beneficial to their leggie and Afghanistan left-armer Zahir Khan.
“We’ve had a good look at the wicket now, generally not as much carry as the Gabba wicket and not as true with the bounce,” Swepson said.
“The spinners, I guess you could say, come into play a little bit more there.
“But I think it’ll still be a pretty good track.