Whisper it quietly, but it could be Glenn Maxwell’s time.
You didn’t read the previous line incorrectly and, yes, this particular author has had plenty to say on the merits, or otherwise, of the Victorian as a Test cricketer.
But that was then.
Very soon it will be a case of needs must and that need will be Maxwell. I would call him by his ‘Big Show’ moniker but he’s grown out of that, yes? And it is the pivotal position of Test all-rounder that is doing the calling.
Not as a spinner as he’s nowhere near the level required and not as a top order batsman as he has none of the patience required, but as the number six and fifth bowler.
The reasoning is pretty straightforward.
If Australia are to have any chance of upsetting the game’s current frontrunners on their own turf – exceedingly slim if every opinion going is considered – then they need six batsmen and five bowlers.
Include the wicketkeeper in all of this and some simple mathematics would indicate the necessity of one of the batsmen being one of the bowlers.
Step forward Glenn.
The much-maligned Mitchell Marsh shouldn’t be anywhere near the selectors’ thoughts when the starting XI is put together, the most recent incumbent, Hilton Cartwright, hasn’t been given a seat on the plane and, well, that’s it.
Step forward Glenn.
A calculated gamble could always be the order of the day , marrying a top six with just the four bowlers but that’s asking for trouble.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are in excellent form but if the spinners don’t deliver their workload will become backbreaking. It may have been an option when Shane Warne was around but Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe don’t fit that particular bracket.
Step forward Glenn.
For all his gung-ho tendencies and apparent lack of thought with the bat in hand, Maxwell has at times shown he can score freely when faced with spin and that has to count for something.
David Warner and Steve Smith are proven on the sub-continent, Usman Khawaja is not, and Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb can hardly be judged with no evidence to go on.
Therefore, the case for a batting/spinning all-rounder doesn’t quite look as daft as it may have done not so long ago.
Step forward Glenn.
When faced with a particularly tricky assignment the default setting is often to persist with what you know. Yet Australia in India/Sri Lanka/UAE only know how to come second so maybe the time is right for a bit of out of the box logic.
The only thing to lose is another sub-continental series and the collective CV is hardly going to look any worse with such an addition.
So who knows? The selectors get cussed often enough for decisions that seemingly make little sense – Chris Lynn, one ODI then replaced at four by M.Marsh, anybody? – so perhaps they should embrace such criticism and laugh in its face.
I’ve heard many a time that cricket in India is a different animal and, as such, that kind of beats needs taming in a different way.
Step forward Glenn. Your time is now.
Rob
Guest
He did score 81 in his last Shield game. He scored 102 and 94 against NSW at the SCG in 2014 . NSW had Vic's 6 for 9 runs when Maxwell came out to bat. The bowling attack was Hazelwood, Copeland, Abbott, SOK. From memory Maxwell scored a record 145 NO. and then 66 in the last T20 series in Sri Lanka. He was MOM in both games he played. That's an average of 211 and against the same bowlers that had just humiliated the Australian Test team 2-0. In the Sri Lanka Test Series. Khawaja averaged 13.75 in T/20's avg. 21 Warner averaged 27.7 in T/20's avg. 26.5 Henriques averaged 4. in T/20 avg. 1 It's interesting that Khawaja, Warner and Henriques all averaged very similar in the Test series as they did in T20 games. Now imagine if Maxi had of played the TEST matches against Sri Lanka instead of Henriques?
dave
Guest
I do like you.Rather than becoming a mercenary and chasing the big dollars on the 45 and over 20/20 circuit you stuck to your guns playing z grade to try and fullfill your dream.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
But they are now moving back.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
And he threw away his wicket in both innings. Got away with it when we won.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
When did Maxwell bat well in a Shield final?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
You are talking the first test side in India. where is any red ball form for Maxwell? Sadly, the same with Wade. Little batting form and his keeping? Apart from Maxwell and Wade your team looks pretty good.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Mitch Marsh will not be playing and batting at 6. This is why they made the point of describing him as a bowling all rounder.
El Loco
Roar Rookie
Khawaja and Maxwell to score innings-rescuing centuries in the first test a la Hayden and Gilchrist back in 2001.
jarijari
Guest
Could not sum up his rubbish better Rob.
jarijari
Guest
Well, never say never in sport. We've been totally shocked a million times, but this one is so unlikely. Look at that typically dreadful shot he played to get out on last Friday, straight up in the air, there you go mate, see you later, I'm out of here. The Show might do a good cameo, he might even freakishly knock out a miracle ton in India -- odds please bookies? -- but surely it's so unlikely Maxwell will ever be big-time in Test cricket.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
I think Maxwell's temperament is judged unfairly, perhaps due to his approach early in his career, without recognising he has changed in the past couple of years. He has played some crucial, gutsy innings for Victoria, including the Shield Final. I think he has matured significantly.
Tanami Mehmet
Guest
If that's true, then you'd like me a lot. Apart from being 45 and a having just finished up playing Z Grade cricket last year I am as keen as a man can be to play for Australia. But alas I think my opportunity has past.
dave
Guest
What I like about Maxwell Is that he's really keen to play test cricket for Australia. He could easily just forget It and chase 20/20 cash but he's still trying his heart out to play at the highest level.His Wade comments were a sign that he desperately wants to get into the test side.If he was just a 20/20 ODI player he wouldn't care where he batted in shield cricket or he might not even bother playing shield at all. If I was treated the same by the selectors I probably would have given up ages ago and just set myself up financially playing cash cricket. I hope he takes India apart but I suspect he will never get as much chances as some other players.
Rob
Guest
Is Warner playing stupid shots slashing at balls wide of off early with 4 slips a gully and 3rd man or being runout? All preventable dismissals if he plays a little smarter.
matth
Guest
I'm hoping that is the first test team, but the Marshes often find a way in
AREH
Roar Guru
Agree with almost all of that but isn't Agar's recent form with the ball quite impressive? Picked up 10 for the match against NSW just over two months ago. Unless of course we are talking about BBL form though..
AREH
Roar Guru
Have to agree with you BG, in my opinion Maxwell offers a far more complete package than M.Marsh, and appears statistically better at FC level. I too though worry that anything less than an average series from him in India will result in him being the first bloke punted from the side, possibly without returning. Sure enough he'll probably get a fair run at test cricket if he can contribute enough, but nothing like the extended run of almost 20 tests that Mitch has been given.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Mate the problem is with Boof and Smith. Mitch Marsh is their pet and the most favoured player in the team. Even if he's half fit to bowl, they would still play him at 6. I'm just waiting to see Marsh's face when Ashwin bowls him through the gate. Maxwell might play in the third and fourth test. Not sure of that either.
Rob
Guest
Warner has out scored Maxwell only 2 of 6 times in Tests they both played in? Warner averaged 19 and Maxwell 13. Thing is Maxwell also bowled and dissmised Kohli, Dohni, Rahane, 2x Vijay, 2 Jadaja and averaged 27 with the ball. Yet he got dropped and Smith and Warner have been given a hell of a lot more oppertunities? He was batting at 8 then asked to open?
Rob
Guest
Maxwell has scored more runs in the last 2 ODI's than Warner and Smith combined?