Glenn Maxwell marked his Bears’ debut in trademark explosive style in the win at Leicester Foxes – and thanked his new teammates for helping him settle so quickly in Birmingham.
The Aussie smashed a quick-fire 47 from 27 balls – including seven 4s and a huge six – in a match-winning 90-run partnership with Sam Hain.
After the game Maxwell said it was great to come into a team that’s playing well and has momentum.
He added: “It’s a good group of players, very tight, and a smooth operation. Coming in I don’t feel like I have to do too much on the leadership side, there’s no over-reliance on me because Davo (Al Davies) has done a great job in making it a well-oiled machine.
“I feel very comfortable with the way I’m playing, I wasn’t worried about tonight but there’s always some first game nerves. I knew that if I could get myself into the game I could score runs pretty comfortably so it’s good to be away to a strong start.”
And the 34-year-old praised Sam Hain – who registered his 22nd T20 half-century in the win – for helping ease him into his first innings in a Bears’ shirt.
He said: “I really enjoyed that partnership and it helped me settle. Sam’s in great form and it meant I could trust what was going on at the other end.
“It means I can give myself a bit of a start, knowing at the other end there’s a player getting boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking, it takes the pressure off. You’re able to play pretty freely, comfortably.
“In the first three or four balls I’m always having a look, weighing up the situation. It was nice to come in against some familiarity, with Zaheer Shah and Callum Parkinson, a couple of guys I knew what they would try to do against me.
“We’ve got Moeen Ali to come in as well so the talent in this team is pretty scary…and it means I won’t have to bowl which will be nice! He’s going to be brilliant for us. We’ll lose Woaksey for a little bit but there’s great depth in the side.
“I can’t wait for Lancashire next up, there are lots of familiar faces in the dressing room. I’m looking forward to taking them on with that home crowd, and it’ll be nice to have the backing of Edgbaston fans for a change.”
Early Bird tickets for T20 quarter-final
For a third year in a row, Bears have secured a home Vitality Blast quarter-final against Gloucestershire on Friday 6 September. And Early Bird tickets are on sale now.
Adults tickets are available for only £15 in this window, while Members and Season Pass holders are free. Window ends at midnight on 4 August.
