Mexwell explained why he decided to launch such a brutal counter-attack. "When you get in after losing two in the first over and there are only two men outside the circle, it's easy to go over the top.

The wicket was good as the ball was new and by the end of it, the ball started to turn a bit more," he said. "For me, as the wicket was a bit fresh, it made things easier. To the guys that came in later, it got difficult.

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The ball got a bit worn and started to play a few more tricks," he added. Maxwell's previous highest in T20 Internationals was 27 and on his own admission he was a "bit embarrassed" about that piece of statistics. "Tripled it, did not I? It was pretty embarrassing before.

Having played earlier against them in Dubai, I knew I could do well against them. Having Finchy (Aaron Finch), at the other end helped too. He is someone I spend a lot of time with.

He has a very calming influence at the other end." Asked about his homework on sub-continental spinners, Maxwell said, "Not a lot. I watched a lot of games on television and see how other people bat against Ajmal.

It's not like I got out of the bed with the an idea of how I am going to face spin. "From the non-strikers end, I pick up cues and speaking with Finchy and asking him what s happening. It was nice to pick up a few things."

Maxwell is confident that Australia would come back stronger in the tournament. "We have to hit the straps and train harder. We have to work on our fielding as we were not good enough tonight. We will try and rectify all the mistakes that we made."