Glenn Maxwell of Kings XI Punjab plays a shot in the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. Kings XI Punjab won the match by seven wickets. Pawan Singh / The National
Glenn Maxwell of Kings XI Punjab plays a shot in the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. Kings XI Punjab won the match by seven wickets. Pawan Show more

Maxwell and Miller lift Kings XI Punjab past Rajasthan Royals



Rajasthan 191/5 (20 ov)

Punjab 193/3 (18.4 ov)

Toss Punjab, who chose to field

Rajastan Samson 52, Watson 50; Kartik 1-51

Punjab Maxwell 89, Miller 51, Pujara 40; Kulkarni 1-50

Man of the match Glenn Maxwell (Punjab)

SHARJAH // Glenn Maxwell may feel a little embarrassed by the showy nickname which was foist upon him in his early career. But “The Big Show” does not really cover it, anymore.

Many more performances like the two he has put up with the bat so far since the Indian Premier League (IPL) arrived in the UAE and he will be due an upgrade.

The Phenom? The Walking Highlights Reel? The Multi-million Dollar Man?

Nothing really covers it when trying to describe a player who has accrued 184 runs at an average of 92 and a strike rate of 209 so far in this year’s competition.

George Bailey, his captain at Kings XI Punjab and Australia teammate, is no help in furthering the debate, either.

“It is unbelievable, there is no other way to describe it,” Bailey said of Maxwell’s stunning run of form.

“Extraordinary. Awesome. That’s all I’ve got. You will have to come up with the rest.”

Thanks largely to Maxwell’s heroics, with a little dash of David Miller thrown in for good measure, Punjab have so far scored 399 for seven in 37.3 overs in just two matches in IPL 2014.

Having chased down 206 in Abu Dhabi in their opener against Chennai Super Kings on Friday, last night’s 192 to win in Sharjah was always going to be child’s play.

“I’m in awe [of Maxwell],” Bailey said. “Watching the highlights from his innings here is like career highlights for most players.

“He played nine or 10 shots in one innings that 95 per cent of us would have been happy to play in our careers.”

This tournament may be the Indian Premier League, but it has felt like an Australian takeover for much of the past week.

Even when Maxwell is not dominating the narrative, the rest of his compatriots having been playing compelling cameos.

Given the way they have taken each other on here, it is safe to assume an Australian net session is not for the faint hearted.

Punjab’s attack-leader, Mitchell Johnson, smashed a searing bouncer into the grille of James Faulkner’s helmet here.

When Punjab then began their pursuit of victory, Maxwell then savaged Faulkner for 17 in one over of the Royals all-rounder’s left-arm seamers.

It seemed only fitting that it was left to two Australians to pick the bones out of it. Shane Watson, the Australia batsman, was the captain opposing Bailey for the Royals.

“When Maxwell goes off like he did tonight it is very difficult to contain him because he can hit the ball on both sides of the wicket,” Watson said.

“At this point in time it does not worry me whether he is Australian, West Indian or Indian. When we are playing against anyone, we don’t want them to perform that well.

“Everyone knows, whether you play with or against Glenn Maxwell, he can be very unpredictable.

“That is what makes him extremely dangerous. Even if you know him very well it is hard to be able to contain him.”

pradley@thenational.ae

Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE

THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

Tour de France 2017: Stage 5

Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km

It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.

The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.

RESULTS FOR STAGE 4

Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.

Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

'Young girls thinking of big ideas'

Words come easy for aspiring writer Afra Al Muhairb. The business side of books, on the other hand, is entirely foreign to the 16-year-old Emirati. So, she followed her father’s advice and enroled in the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s summer entrepreneurship course at Abu Dhabi University hoping to pick up a few new skills.

“Most of us have this dream of opening a business,” said Afra, referring to her peers are “young girls thinking of big ideas.”

In the three-week class, pupils are challenged to come up with a business and develop an operational and marketing plan to support their idea. But, the learning goes far beyond sales and branding, said teacher Sonia Elhaj.

“It’s not only about starting up a business, it’s all the meta skills that goes with it -- building self confidence, communication,” said Ms Elhaj. “It’s a way to coach them and to harness ideas and to allow them to be creative. They are really hungry to do this and be heard. They are so happy to be actually doing something, to be engaged in creating something new, not only sitting and listening and getting new information and new knowledge. Now they are applying that knowledge.”

Afra’s team decided to focus their business idea on a restaurant modelled after the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Each level would have a different international cuisine and all the meat would be halal. The pupils thought of this after discussing a common problem they face when travelling abroad.

“Sometimes we find the struggle of finding halal food, so we just eat fish and cheese, so it’s hard for us to spend 20 days with fish and cheese,” said Afra. “So we made this tower so every person who comes – from Africa, from America – they will find the right food to eat.”

rpennington@thenational.ae

War and the virus
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Australia (15-1): Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Tui; Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson.

Replacements: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Jack Maddocks.

Dunbar
Edward St Aubyn
Hogarth

Match info

Athletic Bilbao 0

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)

Celta Vigo 2
Castro (45'), Aspas (82')

Barcelona 2
Dembele (36'), Alcacer (64')

Red card: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)

Manchester United v Club America

When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)

Key developments

All times UTC 4

Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

Get inspired

Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).

Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.  

Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?). 

The biog

Marital status: Separated with two young daughters

Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo

Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian

Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness

Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg

Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

RACE CARD

5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB); Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA); Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA); Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA); Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.