T20 World Cup: All-rounders like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis give Australia ‘huge’ flexibility – Pat Cummins

T20 World Cup: Pat Cummins said that an over bowled by either Marcus Stoinis or Glenn Maxwell allows one of the frontline fast bowlers to bowl in the middle overs.

Cummins took two wickets in Australia’s win over Sri Lanka. (Reuters Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSMaxwell and Stoinis conceded a combined 51 runs from their four wicketless overs in Thursday’s victoryCummins said Maxwell bowling in the powerplay allowed Starc to bowl in the middle oversAustralia face England in their next match of the T20 World Cup

All-rounders like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are allowing Australia to be flexible with their frontline bowlers, Pat Cummins has said. Maxwell bowled one over in the powerplay during Australia’s 7-wicket win against Sri Lanka while Stoinis bowled three, including one of the last four overs.

Both players conceded a combined 51 runs from their four wicketless overs. “I think the flexibility that structure gives us is just huge,” Cummins said ahead of Saturday’s clash with Ashes rivals England.

Against Sri Lanka, Maxwell bled 16 runs in his only over, bowled during the powerplay, before being taken off the attack but Cummins said Australia, and quick Mitchell Starc, still benefited from it.

“Maxi bowling one in the first six (overs) means Starcy can have an extra over through the middle. We saw he took a couple wickets in the middle overs, that’s because we were able to have someone like Maxi ball early,” Cummins added.

“Stoinis still hasn’t bowled a lot but we know how much of an impact he can be with the ball, let alone having the option to now have that extra batter.

“I think we’re really well suited. We were covering a lot of areas with that fifth bowler. We’ve got Maxwell, Stoinis, (Mitchell) Marsh all who can contribute those four overs.”

Australia are chasing the only major global trophy that has eluded them while England are bidding to become the first team to win both the 50-overs and the 20-overs World Cup at the same time.

“I think the style of play is quite similar. We like to take the game on,” Cummins said of their opponents who also have won first two their Super 12 matches so far.

“They’ve been probably just about the form team in the last few years in white ball cricket.

“(A) huge game. We know these guys really well. We know it’s such a big game in the context of making the semi-finals, and yeah, always enjoy coming up against England.”

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