There is no clearer example that Cricket Australia and the senior group who deemed it fit to fine Glenn Maxwell for his comments have lost the plot.
Whether, you agree or disagree with Maxwell’s comments, the reality he has been fined for speaking his mind.
How dare he voice an opinion in this sanitised world with Australian cricketers seemingly required to toe the corporate line in every uttered word to the media.
In context, Maxwell simply voiced his disappointment at batting below Matthew Wade in the Sheffield Shield. It obviously carries a narcissistic undertone and no doubt he would have been better served not airing his grievance in public. But so what?
Do we now live in a world, where we are to assume all is well among cricketers vying for Test selection. It is a competitive business and these are young men with ambition and egos that need massaging.
Maxwell, in his defence, does have a marginally higher first class average than Wade but his case is not that compelling. Wade has nine first class centuries to Maxwell’s five and you do get the feeling that he has already pigeon holed as a ODI and T20 player.
It would also seem he is not on Lehman’s selection radar at Test level.
But none of that really matters, he has a view and bravely and stupidly expressed it.
What is of greater interest is the overreaction and the need to fine someone for expressing an opinion and under what contractual obligation is Maxwell is required to pay it? Has he brought the game into disrepute, no, he has simply ostracised himself from his teammates and upset his State Captain. You make your bed and lie in it and that’s where it should have been left.
Instead a fine ensues and in a year of challenges for Cricket Australia another negative story continues to breath.
Laughable really but what is really more laughable is that Wade and Maxwell seem to assume where they bat in the Sheffield Shield has any serious bearing. Maxwell is not one of the best six batsmen in the country and his bowling is not good enough to secure an all-rounder spot.
As for Wade, he is lucky to be back in and will need runs to stay in. That is no given and my prediction Nevill will return.
This will allow Wade and Maxwell to return to the humdrum of the Sheffield Shield, take the gloves off and have a good old fashioned ‘punch up’ at the back of the pavilion for the coveted number five spot before common sense prevails and everyone realises Cameron White should be batting there in the first place.
dan ced
Guest
Faulkner underdone. He's one of our best when in form.. why do we keep playing underdone people just because they played well those few times many years ago *cough* Cummins.
dan ced
Guest
I agree with this. Wade is a flog of the highest order, he should go back to grade cricket with his mate Barrel. How either ever player for Australia I will never understand, so many better options.
Ben
Roar Guru
Yeah, coming in for a slap. Batted better than Maxwell but... ?
Don Freo
Guest
How Mitch plays has no impact on how Maxi plays. Ripping innings from Wade.
Ben
Roar Guru
Having a look at what Mitchell Marsh just did. If Australia wins, i find it very doubtful we'll see Maxwell back in the team for a long time yet. ?
Ben
Roar Guru
1x century, 3x fifties from 36 T20's. With an economy rate of 7.46 per over and SR of 27 with the ball. Yeah, he's "ok"... Not a star in any way. Perhaps you should remove your "big show" sunglasses champ, and actually read some statistics.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
You are now coming up with stuff that was never ever been said. I'll go back to your original statement. "Maxwell is an “ok” 20/20 player at best. He should’ve never played test cricket or 50 over cricket for Australia.” That comment is absolute garbage.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I wouldn't put pass Maxwell to keep better than Wade, that's how ordinary Wade is as a wicket keeper....
Ben
Roar Guru
Yeah, you're right... because Maxwell probably should've been the first choice spinner, wicket keeper and opening batter in your eyes. Oh, and probably captain too!
Ben
Roar Guru
9x centuries and 29x fifties @ 40.83... That's how. Also, being a lefty to mix the batting order up helps. Aw, now i get ya!... You probably think Maxwell should be the Australian keeper too! ?
Michael brown
Guest
Me thinks it is immoral for a group of players to fine another player. Illegal in my view, Maxwell should ignore the egoistic players. Oh, for the good old days of cricket, the likes of Lille, Miller, Compton etc would never had got a game under the current nonsense. It seems "money" greed rules, let us have some democratic sense and transparency.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Please tell us how Wade has earned his spot Ben Laird?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Yeah he's talking about the year in which they changed the wicket keeper ( Probably 1st or 2nd best pure wicket keeper) because he wasn't scoring runs...... To replace him with a wicket keeper who also hasn't been scoring runs? You don't see idiocy with that?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
"Maxwell is an “ok” 20/20 player at best. He should’ve never played test cricket or 50 over cricket for Australia." Your words mate. The players I mentioned all have lesser Career averages than Maxwell. Maxwell has only been given small opportunities as a 2nd spinner in Sub Continent conditions. He has never ever been given any decent opportunity to grab a spot in the side.
Don Freo
Guest
This year is when we want him to play well...not just 5 years ago. You don't seem to recognize what career stats represent. They don't reflect current form. They reflect past form.
Ben
Roar Guru
You're talking about ONE year! I'm talking career statistics. Neville is the only player you've named that has a FC average near Wade! The other names are nowhere near Wade. I take it you believe that a player should be selected because he has a few good innings? Rediculous. Glad you're not a selector. We'd be in massive trouble!
Don Freo
Guest
You are the one introducing that comparison. What stats are you reading? This season Wade is averaging 23, Hartley 70, Nevill 50 plus, Carey around 50 and Whiteman near 40. Even Doran has bumped his average over 30. Wade has the WORST record of all the keepers this year. Past records are not relevant to anything. He is showing no form.
Ben
Roar Guru
Fair enough. Maxwell has only played the 3 tests he never earned. Statistically, Matthew Wade is the best batter/keeper we have. To compare runs conceded by a wicket keeper to a part time bowler is one of the poorest arguments I've seen. Pathetic.
Don Freo
Guest
No food there. How many chances do you think Maxi has had to bat in Tests? No sample size to compare Now compare the runs Maxi has conceded in the field with what Wade concedes...even with help of gloves. You have no case statistically and less of a case anecdotally.
Ben
Roar Guru
Not so much "impressive"... I've never said he was. But he averages 1 more run in FC, and 20 more runs in tests compared to Maxwell... Bit of food for thought for ya!