BIRMINGHAM Bears have signed Australian Glenn Maxwell, one of international cricket’s biggest hitters, in a clear statement of intent ahead of this year’s Vitality Blast.
World Cup winner Maxwell – who has lit-up T20 tournaments around the world with his power hitting and creative shot making – has signed for the Bears’ 2023 Blast campaign.
He’s the club’s second overseas signing following the capture of Pakistan pace bowler Hassan Ali in November.
Maxwell will join up with his Bears teammates at the end of his involvement in the Indian Premier League where he’s set to star for a third season with Royal Challengers Bangalore having been bought for more than £1.3 million at auction.
Bears First Team Coach Mark Robinson said Maxwell’s IPL price tag reflects his stature as one of the most feared batters on cricket’s international stage.
Robinson said: “It’s an amazing signing – he’s one of the fastest scorers in world cricket – and I’m sure he’ll be a favourite with Bears fans.
“He’s the perfect T20 batter for us: he’s a power hitter with a fantastic range of shots which makes it hard for opposing sides to set fields, plus he’s an outstanding fielder. I can’t wait to welcome Glenn into the fold.
“I’m also delighted for our fans. We’ve now got a really exciting Blast squad that I’m sure will provide great entertainment and help us achieve our goal of again getting to Blast Finals Day here at Edgbaston.”
Maxwell has played 355 T20 innings with a 27.79 average and strike rate of 151.07, while his international T20 record reads 90 innings – with a high score of 145 not out from 65 balls – with an average of almost 30 and strike rate of 150.97.
He’s a legend of the Australian Big Bash League having played 100 games for the Melbourne Stars, a milestone he marked in spectacular style in January 2022 by smashing 154 off just 64 balls to set a new BBL record.
And the 34-year-old also recorded the second-quickest World Cup century with a 51-ball hundred in 2015 against Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Maxwell said: “I can’t wait to get stuck into a new challenge with the Bears.
“Edgbaston is a great place to play cricket with extremely passionate fans and I’m looking forward to joining an exciting list of players.”
