Glenn Maxwell : So much emotion fell out as soon as I got that hundred
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Glenn Maxwell’s emotional celebrations on reaching his maiden Test century showed just how much the achievement means to him. Having said that, he’s still not sure what to expect from the pitch in the remainder of the match. He also praised Steve Smith for his leadership qualities.
Glenn Maxwell’s selection for the ongoing Ranchi Test had divided opinion like never before. However, his maiden Test hundred is certain to have silenced many of his doubters. He now hopes he can use this performance as a stepping stone to greater things.
Speaking of his achievement, Maxwell said,  “It was probably more the emotions of the whole night I had as well. You go to sleep 82 not out, I thought about it all night. I went through about 300 to 400 different scenarios that could’ve happened the next day, most of them weren’t good.” Â
“So much emotion fell out as soon as I got that hundred. Even thinking about it now, I’ve got a frog in my throat. It’s as special a moment as I’ve had in my career and hopefully, it’s not the last.”
Although Maxwell’s Test career is still in its infancy stage (this is only his 4th Test), his journey in the longest format has been of unfulfilled promises, so far. He acknowledges this fact and says that getting back into the Test side is an achievement in itself for him. “It’s been a long time between drinks since 2014, my last Test. To get back in the side in the first place was something I really hold close to my heart.” And he now hopes to kick on from here,  “Hopefully, this innings,Â
Maxwell also lauded skipper Steve Smith’s ability to lead from the front and the impact that Smith has on the rest of the team.
"He’s inspirational. He probably lifts the team to another level because he makes the game look so easy. He’s a guy that people feed off.
“At times it's very difficult to bowl to him. You bowl with a particular plan but sometimes he changes his stance, shuffles from leg stump to off. You have to keep an eye on himÂ
As far as the pitch is concerned, Maxwell, though clueless, is hoping for the worst. “I have no idea but I hope it explodes.”
Umesh, too, is hoping for the best as far as the pitch is concerned. “I don’t think the pitch has changed. Still, hope for the best. The pitch is easy to bat on. Can’t predict how it will behave.”
Speaking of his own bowling, Umesh says that he has taken criticism in his stride and is reaping the rewards for being consistent while realizing his own strengths and weaknesses. “I am doing the same thing, but the confidence level is high. Now I have realized my strengths and weaknesses. Some wrote about my tendency to bowl at the pads, I no longer do that.”
He also praised Ravinder Jadeja’s abilities as a bowler saying, He never moves away from his spots and bowls tirelessly at the same spot. "If he gets the tiniest of rough, he knows where to pitch the ball.”
