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Australia’s leadership group has controversially handed down a fine to Glenn Maxwell for speaking, but has stopped short of rebuking him for years of batting like a lunatic.
The Victorian’s immoral display of candour regarding Matt Wade has caused a firestorm in Australian cricket this week, subsequently upsetting a number of former international greats such as Rob Quiney and Darren Berry.
But after generating days of valuable column inches on the eve of an immaterial series against New Zealand, yesterday the issue finally reached a flashpoint.
Jarred by the rarity of an unsterilised viewpoint, captain Steve Smith was forced in to the unprecedented move of disciplining Maxwell for reckless exhibits of honesty.
Smith hit the kaleidoscopic all-rounder with a team-imposed fine and banned him from speaking until he is next spoken to, which reportedly will be next time one of the senior guys needs his car moved or something.
However, he did confirm that despite being charged with having an opinion, Maxwell was to escape censure for numerous counts of batting in the past like an ambidextrous extrovert on a cordial rush.
Smith was clear on reiterating team values, stating that respect applies to all things like teammates, opposition and the stunning picture quality on your home television, but not your wicket.
After somehow dodging penalty over years of bringing steady batsmanship in to disrepute, Maxwell’s punishment for talking about state cricket represents an evolution in the national team’s principles.
Not only have they grown nosey and sensitive, they’ve proven it is acceptable to reverse-sweep your first ball on a bunsen burner at 4/15 provided you don’t speak out of turn.
It is also a clear message to those on the fringes that it is better to shoulder arms to a full-pitched delivery on middle rather than speak out against Cricket Australia’s oppressive regime.
Unfortunately for Maxwell, his hurtful and truth-drenched words have undoubtedly damaged his chances of a recall to the Test team, because the criteria for a call-up sure as hell isn’t based on runs.
Despite averaging 56 in the last domestic season, coach Darren Lehmann dismissed Maxwell’s chances due to a lack of hundreds, proving the coach’s open-mindedness towards selection consists solely of tons or nothing.
However, Cricket Australia has not totally dismissed the Victorian’s chances, imploring him to follow Peter Nevill’s example of how to score runs silently while solemnly accepting Wade as your superior.
For the meantime, Maxwell remains a part of Australia’s plans in the limited overs game. However, whether he is selected in today’s first Chappell-Hadlee match remains to be seen.
While acknowledging Maxwell’s punishment, Smith made the token confirmation the all-rounder is available for selection, provided he’s not too busy discussing contract talks with officials from New South Wales or even New Zealand.