“Maxwell leaves his mark”: Glenn Maxwell hits 28 runs off Jimmy Neesham over; breaks chair at Wellington stadium

Maxwell hits 28 runs: The Australian all-rounder bludgeoned a quintessentially entertaining ninth T20I half-century at the Westpac Stadium.

During the third T20I of the ongoing Australia’s tour of New Zealand in Wellington, Australian pair of captain Aaron Finch and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell returned to form and how after being asked to bat first by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

After vice-captain Matthew Wade (5) edged a Trent Boult delivery to Martin Guptill in only the second over, Finch and Josh Philippe (43) put together an 83-run partnership for the second wicket to lay a solid foundation for their middle-order.

Finch, who had most recently received the backing of former Australia captain and current National Selector George Bailey amidst a rut, played a vital role alongside Maxwell in powering Australia to 208/4 in 20 overs.

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Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the 11th over, Maxwell looked out of sorts for the first nine deliveries that he faced often playing and missing straight deliveries.

Having hit a boundary off New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham on his 10th delivery, Maxwell appeared to have gained confidence to the extent that he hit a couple of fours and a six against New Zealand seamer Tim Southee to find his mojo.

Glenn Maxwell hits 28 runs off James Neesham

What followed was a quintessential case of no stopping the Big Show as he hit four fours and a couple of sixes off Neesham in the 17th over to register a 25-ball half-century.

In what was his ninth T20I half-century, Maxwell departed after scoring 70 (31) with the help of eight fours and five sixes and after breaking a chair at the Westpac Stadium. The same had happened after one of his sixes off Neesham directly hit the back rest of the chair inside the empty stadium.

Neesham, who conceded 60 runs without dismissing any Australian batsman tonight, registered the second-most expensive bowling figures of 4-0-60-0 by a Kiwi bowler in the format.

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