Expect a lot of runs in the future from the new-look Glenn Maxwell.
Gone are the cowboy shots of reverse sweeping and ramping as the Victorian has been patiently playing every ball on its merits.
Nothing like his first six Test innings in 2013 and 2014 with a top score of 37, where he scored a total of 80 runs off 114 deliveries to average just 13.33.
As a result of his newfound responsibility, Maxwell is the second highest run-getter since his return to Test cricket after his skipper Steve Smith.
In the two Tests against India at Ranchi and Dharamsala, Smith has scored 327 runs at 109 off 798 deliveries, the skipper showing the way from the front.
Maxwell is next with 159 at 39.75 after facing 333 deliveries, wiping out the irresponsibility of the past.
Third among the Australian two-Test run-getters is keeper Matt Wade with 123 at 61.50 facing 289, with Peter Handscomb the only other Australian to top 100 runs with 117 at 39 facing 397.
Over the four Tests, only Smith, Wade, Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc turned in better series batting averages compared to their career averages.
Smith averaged 71.28 in the series, his career average is 60.98.
Wade averaged 32.66, compared to 29.14.
Maxwell 39.75 compared to 23.25, and Starc 29.50 cmpared to 24.81.
The disappointments overall have been Handscomb, David Warner, Matt Renshaw, and Shaun Marsh.
Handscomb was the worst offender with a series average of 28.28 compared to 63.33, Warner 24.12 compared to 47.71, Renshaw 29.20 compared to 48.50, and Marsh 18.87 compared to 37.71
In the light of those stats, it’s quite incredible the Australians have been so competitive against the world number one Test side.
Barring a dead-set miracle this series is over with India winning 2-1, so let’s look forward to the Ashes in Australia next summer.
Sure it’s a long way away, and there are plenty of Sheffield Shield games to settle the selections.
Top of the list will be Usman Khawaja’s fate after being so shabbily treated in India for a second time in succession.
Barring injuries or someone emerging from left field, the top five in the batting order looms as Warner, Renshaw, Khawaja, Smith, and Handscomb.
The sixth spot has been traditionally reserved for an all-rounder, but Maxwell deserves that berth.
He’s consistently one of the best fieldsmen in the world, and now a responsible batsman – although his off-spinners are cannon-fodder.
In the two Tests he played in India, Maxwell has so far bowled only six overs, while the two recognised spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe have bowled 80.1 and 95 overs respectively, and will bowl more today.
But slot Maxwell into six, which makes the Ashes attack one short.
Unless the selectors do a major u-turn, Wade will be the keeper on the back of his diligent batting in India, and constant chirping.
That leaves just four spots for the attack which would have to be Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, leaving Lyon and O’Keefe to do battle for the sole spin spot.
But it’s not all cut and dried. Far from it.
There’s James Pattinson, and Jackson Bird, both with Test status behind them, and Chadd Sayers if the selectors decide on an all-out pace attack like the West Indies of old.
What else has Sayers got to do to become an international?
The quick played one Sheffield Shield game for South Australia in the 2010-2011 season, and two in 2011-2012.
Since then he’s been among the top wicket-takers every season, topping this season with 61 at 18.37, 19 wickets ahead of two Victorians – medium pacer Chris Tremain, and left arm orthodox spinner Jon Holland, both former internationals.
And let’s not forget the top English batsmen face finger spinners week in week out in county cricket, but rarely a leggie which brings Adam Zampa, and Mitchell Swepson into the frame.
The national selectors will sure earn their keep next summer, which only adds to the anticipation.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
He has the ability to completely transform the look of the Australian team, in any format. He's got my full support!
Mike Dugg
Guest
Maxwell didn't bowl because Smith didn't give him a chance. Mitch Marsh didn't get to bowl much either when he was the all rounder. Shows Smiths lack of imagination. Maxwell could've been more circumspect in the 2nd innings yes, but he still top scored for the Aussies. As for Head, he's not in India because he has a poor shield batting average and a rep for being poor against spin. His shield bowling average is much worse than Maxwell's also.
Harvey
Guest
Maxwell did show his usual self though in his 45. Going at runs too fast in a situation that required patience and also the way he got out was poor. Still not sure why he is there. This alleged allrounder doesn't even seem to bowl. He didnt bowl at all in the ODI series which did leave me wondering why Travis Head bowled so much and didnt go to India. Does Smith not like him? Or does he realise his bowling is average. On another topic. Warner might need to watch his back if he fails in the next series.
Raa
Guest
Kawaja was made a scape goat for the Sri Lanka loss, not right when hardly any batsmen made runs Warner included who doesn't make any runs outside of Australia but seems to never come under pressure. Picking Shaun Marsh is a joke he is the most over rated batsman and made no impact. with the form that Kawaja had from the Aus summer he deserved his chance against India. He is the future Shaun Marsh the poor mistake of the past.
bullpit
Guest
I agree with you David but I don't think the captain or coach want him in the side. Under bowled, yet has a good bowling record from previous test there. His the big show. If his batting well throw him the ball. If his not bowling I don't think we get the balance in the side right we urgently need. Poor old paceman have been over bowled.
DLKN
Guest
Every specialist batsman in the team made valuable, important contributions across the 4 tests - most of them more than once. Except Warner. At least now Haydos-lite can go home to resume his home track, flat track bully career. And I'll stick my head up and say it - Wade has kept "okay" and batted better than I expected. I think his tour deserves a pass mark.
Russell Neville
Roar Rookie
It looks obvious that Maxwell is now showing his potential and looks technically very sound. i.e., solid defence and playing great very straight attacking drives. I can see him becoming the second most recognised batsman in the team after Smith and possibly moving to 5 or even 4. Khawaja at 3, Smith at 4, Maxwell 5 and Handscomb at 6. Before the tour, I had my doubts about Handscomb's technique being able to cope with Indian pitches and I still have doubts whether he can bat well outside of Australia. I hope I'm proven wrong as I really like his attitude off the field, he is humble and admits mistakes. He doesn't seem to be a big sledger and that has got to be a good thing for the image of Australian cricket. Surely now the selectors can forget about both Marsh brothers. Shaun's international career is surely over and Mitchell's never really got off the ground despite being given so many opportunities. He always looked so rigid at the crease with only one shot in his repertoire (the off/cover drive) a poor/limited version of Shane Watson.
Rob JM
Guest
Renshaw and hanscomb both played key rolls in the win and draw while averaging 30 in tough batting conditions. Thats a pass.
Tom
Guest
That's fair enough, but if we're being real it wasn't their youth that got Renshaw and Handscomb their places in the side over Usman. For whatever reason the selectors had Marsh and Khawaja down in a duel for one spot and Marsh won it. I'm not saying Renshaw and Handscomb are immune from criticism, but we should try and treat them better than young players in the past because we have already seen what happened to the four guys you mentioned.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Could not agree more but to promote novices over Khawaja and use youth as an excuse is letting the selectors of the hook. Also Hughes, Khawaja, Burns and Maxi got hammered on these pages as well. Renshaw and Handscomb have flaws as well, it's alright to say so.
Tom
Guest
Because that early criticism, often unwarranted and certainly unnecessary, nearly destroyed each of their promising careers. We have two great prospects in Renshaw and Handscomb - why not change tact and try to actually foster them as Test batsmen?
Pope Paul VII
Guest
The figure speak for themselves. Maxi is ahead of Handscomb.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Phil Hughes, Khawaja, Maxwell and Joe Burns all got hammered as young players. Why excuse Renshaw and Handscomb?
Rob JM
Guest
Correction, what Maxwell would do in the shield games if he was ever given the opportunity to play!
Rob JM
Guest
Don't Forget Saha.
Rob JM
Guest
Both Renshaw and Handscomb were junior members of the side who should not be expected to carry the load. They both produced valuable contributions but its unreasonable to expect them to do much more than they did considering the difficult batting conditions. Handscomb is now in competition with Maxwell, with the no 1 shield batsmen in Cartwright pushing them all the way. Turner may be in the frame soon, especially with our pace bowling stocks the way they are.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Except that this is exactly what Maxwell has been doing in the Shield for the last few seasons. It amazes me how people who are paid to write about this stuff can make snap judgements on someone's red ball ability by watching them play reverse sweeps in limited overs cricket. Anyone who has been keeping tabs on the Shield in recent years would know that this is Maxwell's default temperament in the long format.
Simon G
Guest
You mustn't have seen David's article yesterday Matthew H, my comment was a tongue in cheek dig at his terrible research and use of statistics. I actually completely agree with your comment.
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Maxi must be doing OK, he's starting to win David over!
Matthew H
Guest
Well yes... isn't it painfully obvious that having 1/11th of the team scoring ~5/11ths of the total runs is not a great team? That's one specialist batsman doing the work of 2.5 specialist batsmen roughly. To put it another way - with Smith scoring so many runs it's quite incredible Australia hasn't romped to a series win. It beggars belief that both Handscomb and Warner aren't facing the same criticism so often levelled at Khawaja.