Maxwell masterclass keeps Wolves alive as Curran’s late assault falls short

Dublin, 17 September 2026: Glenn Maxwell produced a captain’s innings before Tom Curran threatened one of the most dramatic late turnarounds of the European T20 Premier League, as Belfast Wolves held their nerve to beat Edinburgh Castle Rockers by nine runs under the DLS method at Malahide on Thursday.

It was a match that eventually became as much about calculations as cricket.

For long periods of the chase, Edinburgh appeared to have one eye on doing enough to secure their own playoff position rather than launching an all-out pursuit of the revised target. But rain changed the equation, Curran changed the mood and suddenly a game that had looked comfortably in Belfast’s hands became chaotic.

The foundation for Wolves’ victory had been laid by Maxwell.

Belfast lost Paul Stirling without scoring and were 24 for two after Lorcan Tucker departed for 17, while Mark Chapman was forced to retire hurt after making 12.

Maxwell then took control.

The Australian counter-attacked through the middle and latter stages of the innings, reaching his half-century from 30 balls before accelerating further alongside David Miller.

Miller’s 38 from 19 balls gave Belfast another source of late momentum, but Maxwell remained the central figure, finishing unbeaten on 82 from only 40 deliveries. His innings included eight fours and five sixes and lifted Wolves to an imposing 190 for four.

The Rockers’ chase never really developed the rhythm required to pursue such a total.

Ross Adair and JJ Smuts managed only seven runs between them, leaving Edinburgh under immediate pressure. Andries Gous attempted to rebuild with 34 from 29 deliveries, but wickets continued to interrupt any attempt to generate sustained momentum.

Brandon McMullen made 13 and Laurie Evans 15 before rain arrived with Edinburgh 83 for four after 12 overs.

When play resumed, the target had been revised to 147 from 15 overs.

That left Edinburgh needing an explosive finish.

Initially, it appeared the equation might simply be beyond them. Then Mitchell Santner and Curran turned what had been a subdued chase into a frantic final act.

Santner struck 23 from 13 balls, including three fours and a six, before falling to Chris Jordan in the penultimate over.

Curran, however, refused to let the contest disappear.

He launched four sixes in a remarkable seven-ball unbeaten 30, scoring at a strike rate above 400 and briefly giving the Rockers hope of stealing a game they had seemed out of for much of the chase.

The burst came too late.

Edinburgh finished on 137 for six, nine runs short of the revised target.

Matthew Humphreys had earlier played an important role in keeping the chase under control, conceding just nine runs from his three overs while claiming two wickets. Jordan also finished with two wickets, while Maxwell added to his decisive contribution with the bat by taking one for 11 from two overs.

For Edinburgh, the late fireworks provided a reminder of what might have been had the top order found greater urgency earlier in the innings.

For Belfast, the victory keeps their qualification hopes alive — although their fate is no longer entirely in their own hands.

The Wolves must now hope Dublin Guardians can defeat Rotterdam Dockers, leaving another layer of calculation to a tournament that has entered its decisive stage.

Maxwell, though, had already completed his part of the equation.

Scores in brief:

Belfast Wolves won by nine runs under the DLS method

Belfast Wolves 190/4 (20 overs): Glenn Maxwell 82 (40), David Miller 38 (19), Harry Manenti 34 (33); Tom Curran 2-43

Edinburgh Castle Rockers 137/6 (15 overs, target 147): Andries Gous 34 (29), Tom Curran 30 (7), Mitchell Santner 23 (13); Matthew Humphreys 2-9, Chris Jordan 2-35

Player of the Match: Glenn Maxwell – 82 (40) and 1-11