If his bowling can consistently be as effective as it was in Rajkot, he could be a viable second spinner alongside Adam Zampa, which would allow Australia to play three their big-three quicks - provided they are comfortable - with Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc at No. 8.

An average of 47.71 may not suggest a bowler of huge pedigree, but Maxwell's offspin has improved significantly in recent years - to the extent that it had him on the brink of a Test recall. Had it not been for the broken leg, he would likely have featured in the series against India earlier this year too.

Maxwell's batting will also be vital to Australia's chances. He was cleaned up by an excellent Jasprit Bumrah yorker in Rajkot, but a side with him coming in at No. 6 or 7 has a more daunting look to it, particularly if he can recapture the form he showed in 2020 and 2022.

Australia's middle order needs to lift from the last few weeks. While the loss of Travis Head for at least part of the World Cup is a huge blow, the presence of David Warner, Marsh and Steven Smith offers a mixture of power and solidity at the top. But lower down, the output has been less convincing, with Marcus Stoinis' batting remaining a concern, Cameron Green struggling to find his touch, Alex Carey a sluggish starter, and Josh Inglis battling for opportunity.

Even in piling up 352 in Rajkot, the middle order struggled to cash in, with Maxwell, Green, Carey and Cummins making 44 off 61 balls, although Marsh did note the ball had become softer and trickier to hit.

Across the eight matches against South Africa and India this month, for positions five to eight, Australia averaged 21.20 with a strike rate of 94.78. That includes Marnus Labuschagne's concussion-sub effort of 80 not out in Bloemfontein, Carey's 99 in Centurion, and Sean Abbott's half-century in Indore which came in heavy defeats.