He is known for being merciless against bowlers. When the bowling is outright ordinary, Glenn Maxwell is even more barbarous and brutal - a fact Indian cricketers learnt the hard way at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Playing a warm-up match ahead of the World Cup, Maxwell smashed 122 off 57 to power his team to a mammoth 371.
Coming in to bat at No. 6, Maxwell had the cushion of an already robust run-rate. He looked a bit reserved - by his swashbuckling standards - and took 34 deliveries to complete his fifty. What unfolded next was utter carnage. The 26-year-old took just 19 more deliveries to reach the three-figure mark - helped en route by lackluster bowling from the Indians. That he was doled out short balls by the dozens was clearly evident but Maxwell ensured that none of them went unpunished. "It's all about the attitude, to go there and be positive," said teammate David Warner who himself hit 104 off 83 at the top.
While Maxwell eventually retired to give a chance to others, India's bowlers by then were left licking their wounds. Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was exasperated with the bowling display and called for immediate repairs.
The contrast between the two teams however was for all to see at the Adelaide Oval and can prove to be a huge difference during the World Cup. India and Australia, however, are in different groups.