Big Bash League 2023/24

Watch: ‘Come on, you bowl 150 mate’ – Mic’d up Glenn Maxwell denies Haris Rauf long on during BBL game

by Wisden Staff December 25, 2023 - 9:47am 2 minute read

Watch: A mic’d up Glenn Maxwell was in his element during the 2023/24 BBL clash between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder, taking digs at his own declining standard in the field and wondering why the quicks are always fascinated with bowling the bouncers.

Stars skipper Maxwell was mic’d up while fielding in a BBL clash against the Thunder on December 23 and produced some gems when pacer Haris Rauf came onto bowl. Speaking to the commentary team, Maxwell had plenty of jokes and witty comments about the ongoing action.

In a compilation of snippets uploaded by the BBL on social media, Maxwell begins by questioning the purpose of team meetings if the players refuse to listen to their captain, saying the team has a couple of players who were just “chilling and cruising and not really paying attention.”

Seemingly engrossed in the conversation with the commentary team, Maxwell stopped after a moment of realisation, admitting, “I’ve just remembered, I’ve still got a job to do [as captain].” He also had plenty to say when Rauf came on to bowl, advising the Pakistan quick to “make the batter think it was a bumper and then go over the stumps”, before saying, “Geez, they [fast bowlers] just wanna bowl bouncers.” In reply, Brett Lee, who was in the commentary box, said, “Nothing wrong with that, skip.”

Moments later, when Rauf wanted the long-on back, Maxwell refused by saying, “Come on, you bowl 150 mate, back of a length. It’s his second ball! Seriously, Binga [Lee], what is wrong with you, the quicks?” He also expressed his surprise at a dot ball from Rauf: “Nice! Raufy, you get a dot ball. Yes, you mate! Well done.”

There was also a misfield by Maxwell, which saw the batter take a dig at himself, saying he would have intercepted the ball three months ago.