World Cup 2019: Glenn Maxwell feels Rashid Khan can be a threat for the Kangaroos

The ICC World Cup 2019 is just a day away and will see England, the hosts take on South Africa at the Oval in the showpiece event opener. England is the no.1 ranked team in ODIs and favourites to win the tournament. Another team that is heavily favoured to lift the trophy is defending champions Australia, which will open their account against Afghanistan.

These two teams met in 2015 edition as well and Australia handed them a big defeat and also made the highest team total in World Cup cricket, 417/6 against them. The big man Glenn Maxwell was the one who took Australia past the 400-mark with a brilliant 88 off just 39 balls with a strike rate of 225.64. This time around, Maxwell talks about the biggest threat that the Kangaroos will face, leg-spinner Rashid Khan in their CWC 2019 match.

It’s a different kettle of fish when facing Rashid Khan, Maxwell

As Australia face Afghanistan on June 1, Maxwell feels Rashid Khan will be a threat to the Men in Yellow, who are the five-time and defending champions and are favourites to win the game, but at the same time, are cautious of Afghanistan who is known to topple giants. “At times I think I can (pick him). He’s very difficult. He is probably one of the more difficult ones (spinners) I’ve played against,” Maxwell was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“They bowl a ball that beats you. And you sit there shaking your head. For me, I feel like I don’t think I’m going to get out to him, but I don’t feel like I’m going to score much off him,” Maxwell added.

However, Maxwell revealed his plan to put pressure on Rashid. He said that it’s about going after the other bowlers and putting pressure on him to change his length from wicket-taking one to bowling a more containing line and length. He said that he did the same during BBL effectively at different stages and will be looking to doing the same in the World Cup as well.

“We’ve got a bit of footage to watch, but it’s a different kettle of fish when you’re actually facing him. I think just putting pressure on them to bring back the medium pace and faster bowlers might be the way we go. But once we have that batting meeting during the week guys will come out with certain plans. Guys might target him, I don’t know,” Maxwell signed off.