Melbourne, Feb. 21 -- Ahead of his nation's campaign opener in the ICC Champions Trophy against arch-rivals England, former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has backed experienced all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has his best cricket "in front of him" and will play a "pivotal" role in his team's success at the tournament.

Australia's ICC Champions Trophy campaign will kickstart on Saturday at Lahore against arch-rivals England, followed by matches against South Africa (February 25) at Rawalpindi and Afghanistan (February 28) at Lahore.

Maxwell might be 36 years old and boast more than 250 international caps across three formats, but his form in the Big Bash - where he was one of two Players of the Series - has convinced Watson his best cric...