Shane Watson has thrown his full support behind Glenn Maxwell, backing the explosive all-rounder to play a crucial role in Australia’s campaign at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. Despite being 36 years old and having played over 250 international matches, Maxwell’s scintillating form in the Big Bash League has convinced Watson that his best cricket is still ahead of him.
Australia enter the tournament as the reigning ODI world champions but find themselves under scrutiny. With only one win in their last five ODIs and the absence of their pace trio—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc—their title defense in Pakistan appears more challenging than expected. However, Watson, a two-time Champions Trophy winner and an event ambassador for the 2025 edition, remains confident that Australia will be a formidable force, especially if Maxwell finds his rhythm.
“The standout player for me is Glenn Maxwell,” Shane Watson said. “What I’ve seen from him recently, especially in the Big Bash, tells me that he has some of his best cricket ahead. If he plays to his potential, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t dominate this Champions Trophy.”
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Watson acknowledged Maxwell’s breathtaking double-century against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup but also pointed out his inconsistency. However, he believes everything is finally aligning for Glenn Maxwell—not just in cricket but in life.
“It just feels like it has all come together for him. I think he’ll play a pivotal role, and even without their most experienced pacers, Australia will be very tough to beat,” he added.
Watson’s insights carry weight, given his own history in the Champions Trophy. He was instrumental in Australia’s title wins in 2006 and 2009, scoring a match-winning 57* in the 2006 final and back-to-back centuries in the semi-final and final in 2009. Now, as Australia prepares for the 2025 edition, the focus shifts to a new-look bowling attack.
With Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc unavailable due to injuries and personal reasons, Australia will rely on a relatively inexperienced pace unit led by Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson. Between them, they have only 10 ODI caps, with Sean Abbott (26 ODIs) being the most seasoned of the lot. Despite this, Watson sees tremendous potential.
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“You have to be at your best from the very first game in this format,” Shane Watson said. “Spencer Johnson is raw pace—he doesn’t swing the ball much, but he’s quick, tall, and generates steep bounce. It’s a huge opportunity for him. Sean Abbott is great with the old ball, has good pace, and executes well under pressure. Nathan Ellis, I think, is highly underrated. He’s already a proven match-winner in franchise cricket, and this could be his breakout year in international cricket.”
Watson believes that while these pacers lack international experience, their exposure to high-pressure cricket in the Big Bash and other T20 leagues will serve them well. Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign kicks off against England in Lahore on February 22, followed by a clash with South Africa in Rawalpindi on February 25 and Afghanistan in Lahore on February 28. With a tough group ahead, Watson expects India and South Africa to be major contenders alongside Australia.
“India have a solid squad, and the conditions will suit them perfectly,” he noted. “They have very little player turnover from the last World Cup, which gives them continuity. Hardik Pandya, if fit, adds incredible balance to their side.” Shane Watson also highlighted South Africa as a dark horse. “They were finalists in the last T20 World Cup and have a batting lineup stacked with talent—Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller are world-class finishers. Their bowling unit is strong, and their spinners could be a huge factor.”
While South Africa have historically struggled in ICC events, Watson believes this squad has the ability to break that trend. “This generation doesn’t carry the scars of previous failures. If they win one ICC event, the floodgates might open for them,” he predicted.
With so much at stake, all eyes will be on Australia’s campaign and whether Maxwell can live up to Watson’s high expectations in yet another ICC event.
