I honestly thought this Glenn Maxwell-Matthew Wade thing would’ve blown over by now, but by not picking him in the first two one dayers against New Zealand, Cricket Australia have poured fuel on the fire.
In what was largely a state issue, CA bought into the saga when they – and not Victoria – decided to hand down the ‘thou shalt not wail on a teammate batting too high’ fine last weekend.
The only ‘national’ crime that Maxwell committed was that he was wearing a CA shirt and cap when he gave his now infamous press conference responses when asked about his chances of a Test recall.
He was left out of the Australian side for the first ODI of the summer in Sydney on Sunday, though the mail even by the time the first ball was bowled was that Maxwell would play the second match in Canberra on Tuesday.
This was CA’s opportunity to kill the matter dead. Playing Maxwell would’ve turned the heat directly back on the player himself, with a clear message to put up or shut up.
But by Tuesday morning, the pre-match scuttlebutt had switched to Australia ‘will likely name an unchanged side’ for the Manuka Oval match. They ultimately played allrounder James Faulkner in place of spinner Adam Zampa, and Maxwell was consigned to net bowler duties while the bowling group commenced their pre-game stretch.
And in doing so, the impasse remains.
Maxwell may well play in the third and now dead rubber match in Melbourne on Friday, but regardless of his status in the XI, the awkward line of questioning remains.
“Will Maxwell and Wade play in the same side?”
“Did the selectors or the leadership group make the decision to leave Maxwell out?”
“Is Maxwell effectively serving two sentences?”
Who should Maxwell have played for in Canberra? Aaron Finch? George Bailey? Mitch Marsh? Honestly, it doesn’t matter who made way, the point is there was an opening for Maxwell to come in and back up his words and that opportunity was missed.
If he played and made runs, then the team probably still wins. If he played and failed with the bat, well not too many would’ve argued if Maxwell was made to be the scapegoat for a loss, or even if he was subsequently left out of a winning team.
But until Maxwell plays again, the story lingers.
And while ever it lingers, you can’t help but think about what has been said.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Maxwell was asked last weekend if batting at no.6 for Victoria had hampered his chances of a Test recall in Adelaide, to which he replied, “I think probably batting below the wicketkeeper is also a bit painful as well. I think the wicketkeeper should be batting at seven unless you’re trying to squeeze an extra bowler into your line.”
As it was, national coach Darren Lehmann poured cold water on a Maxwell recall, saying, “No [he was no chance for Adelaide]. Because he hasn’t made a hundred for the last two years. You need to make hundreds.”
Presumably, Lehmann meant Sheffield Shield hundreds; surely the national coach with a selector’s cap stuck in his back pocket wouldn’t overlook Maxwell’s T20I 145no against Sri Lanka in September.
And while it’s true that Maxwell hasn’t made a Shield century in two years, but he did make a First Class hundred for Yorkshire in July 2015, in the middle of a fruitful stint with the bat in all forms of the game for the White Rose.
Going back to the start of that 2015 English summer, Maxwell actually has three centuries and 20 fifties to his name in all forms of the game, and in teams ranging from the Yorkshire seconds to the IPL and BBL, to Shield cricket and limited overs internationals. It could be better, sure, but it’s hardly the record of a bloke with barely a run to his name in two years.
So far for Victoria this summer he’s managed a fifty during the BBQ Cup, of which he missed several games while on ODI duty, and he made 81 versus Queensland in a Shield game last month. I don’t think he was ever a realistic chance of a Test recall, for what it’s worth, but I’m not sure his record deserved the criticism Lehmann delivered.
Regardless, the heat remains on Maxwell to deliver on his words, but until he’s picked he can’t do that. The sooner he performs, the better off everyone will be and the story will be quickly moved on from.
But the longer it lingers, the more the obvious strain remains. And only Cricket Australia can control how long that strain lasts.
Craig
Guest
and this.
Craig
Guest
There was a lot of talk about how awkward it would be if Maxwell got selected in the ODI"s, and their next Vic game. The only reason it would be awkward is if Wade is/was upset. If Wade wasn't fussed by his comments, he should have came out and hosed down maxwells comments. The fact that Maxwell was fined, shows that Wade was offended and carrying on. If Maxwell had made the comments about me, I would be on the front foot saying "Maxi is entitled to his opinion and he's certainly a quality player, at the moment we as a team feel he's better off coming in a little lower and leaving us some firepower down the order". No comment, shows Wades guilt.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Smith said in the presser that Wade was disappointed in Maxi's comments did he not?
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Hit the nail on the head Dougie. If he wasn't going to play he should be back in Victoria playing shield. That is inexcusable after the over-reaction fro, the coach, captain and selectors. Of course how bad would it have made them, and especially Wade look if Maxi had played for Victoria and made a double ton before the Gabba test team was announced?
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
What answer is he supposed to give? The captain does pick the batting order. Is he supposed to say "no comment" or "I don't know". Wade is captain and he has promoted himself up the order. And again Maxwell didn't raise the issue, he was asked about it.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I agree that CA shouldn't have got involved and shouldn't have fined Maxwell, what he said wasn't a big deal. But it's a big stretch to say he wasn't given a game because of what happened when he hadn't played in the previous 11 ODI's in South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. If he was the incumbent in the team then fair enough but he was dropped over 6 months ago. They picked him in the squad not the team. Big difference.
Spud 053
Guest
I Like skull, but if one is looking they can play a bit of cricket in NSW it is assumed you will automatically get into the test team has been this way since day dot.
Spud 053
Guest
In all this fiasco Darren Lehmann made a stupid statement when he said he has not made a Hundred for two years, well I would think any score over 50 would count as a score to the side doing well ....but my answer to Darren Lehman is one cannot make any runs while holding a cup of water for his teammates if he as Lehman says Maxwell not making enough runs why was he even picked in this particular squad in the first place, it would have been more beneficial for all concerned if Maxwell was playing for his domestic side so he has a chance to make these 100's that Lehman thinks are essential.......... consider this Darren not many players make 100's batting at six or seven in one dayers unless you are a freak like Gilchrist, it would mean those above him have failed if he was to get enough overs to bat for a 100.
GJ
Guest
You cannot be serious. At what point in this article, or any other article is there any feedback suggesting Wade has "his panties in a twist". Be interesting to understand how you made that leap with the facts presented.
Craig
Guest
Its ironic that Wade is selected for his banter and "toughness", yet has his panties in a twist over someone pointing out that his self-promotion up the Victorian batting order.
Brett McKay
Expert
Josh, the selectors had enough confidence in Maxwell to pick him in the first place. He made the comments from a presser conference for the ODI series..
Rob JM
Guest
Maddinson has played 107 innings to maxwell 75, so their frequency of hundreds is not much different. Maxwell has better average, scores 50 plus more frequently and is a fantastic fielder. That being said he has been out of form so he shouldn't get picked. Maddinson scored a 100 at the start of the season and is mates with the captain so it was a easy pick between the two.
OJP
Guest
#highperformanceculture right there Joey
Don Freo
Guest
Lehmann, the coach, at work there. Another success. The criticism of Lehmann is staggering.
anon
Guest
Maxwell is a genuine match winner and deserves to be playing ODI and T20 cricket for Australia. The fine is indicative of a weak team culture, weak leadership, a weak national cricketing body.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
After the dopey treatment of Khawaja in the past, he probably felt justified in giving a bit back. As George said it was purposeless. Just denied him some much needed experience on the subcontinent.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Agree, Doc. Too often we see different players front the media. Smith, Warner, Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins have all fronted the media at various times. At media conferences it should be left to the captain and vice captain.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
The selector coach is a ludicrous position so he's just hamming it up accordingly.
Graham Spalding
Roar Rookie
Thanks Don
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Great comment Tana