If Glen Maxwell is overlooked for the opening Test of the upcoming Ashes series, it will be a snubbing at which even Usman Khawaja would blush.
Since returning to the Test team, in India earlier this year, Maxwell has averaged 37 from eight innings, including a century in India.
David Warner averaged 43.25, thanks to back-to-back centuries in Bangladesh. Matt Renshaw averaged 18. Steve Smith is the sole batsman to average over 50, with 63.71, largely down to his 178* in Ranchi. Peter Handscomb averaged 43.83, thanks to a 72*.
Finally, Mathew Wade, the only other batsman to play all four games, averaged 29 from seven innings.
Maxwell sits comfortably in the middle of these averages, above Renshaw and Wade, but below Smith, Handscomb and Warner. This is perfectly respectable from a player just returning to the Test setup.
Also of note was Maxwell’s moderate strike rate of 56.80. Compared to the six innings from his previous stint, where his strike rate was 70.18 and he averaged 13.33, it is clear he has matured and improved.
In the three seasons since Maxwell was last dropped from the Test team, in October 2014, Victoria, have won all three comps. Unfortunately, during that time other international duties meant that Maxwell only played a total 15 innings for the Bushrangers: one in 2014-15, nine in 2015-16, and five in 2016-17.
However, he scored 545 runs at the respectable average of 41.2. He was in and out of our ODI and T20 teams during that time and did not have much time to settle, but during the 2015-16 season, in which he played six matches, he averaged 56.
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Smith’s reluctance to bowl Maxwell, even in ODIs, is well documented. Nevertheless, under Smith’s Test captaincy, Maxwell has bowled 30 overs for one wicket – the rate of a handy part-timer.
This alone, of course, is no reason to include him in the team, but combined with his excellent fielding and on-field presence, Maxwell is a useful player to have.
However, the Australian set-up seems to have an obsession with a pace-bowling allrounder, as evidenced by the persistence with Mitch Marsh. We like to have three pace bowlers, one spinner, and an allrounder to take the pressure off the quicks.
This not necessarily how a Test team should be constructed, the preference for a pace-allrounder perhaps being related to the toothless pitches produced in Australia these days.
But with the Gabba probably being the country’s best all-round pitch, and the second match a day-nighter, our bowlers should be able to manage even if the pitches are roads. This being the case, Maxwell deserves his shot.
Photo: AAP image
As a brief example of what Maxwell could bring, simply look at his match against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
In the first innings he scored a patient 38. He batted for two and half hours, facing 98 balls, at his slowest-ever strike rate of 38.8.
In the second innings, with Australia pushing for the win, in just 20 minutes, Maxwell smashed 25* from 17 at 147. This kind of variation, if he can manage more high scores, is what makes him such a valuable cricketer.
It was not always so. This last knock is what we have expected in the past, except the next ball he would probably shank, attempting a switch-hit-reverse-something and be caught on the boundary.
Maxwell is a skilful athlete with an impressive array of shots, a good eye, and world-class fielding. So it has never been a lack of skill that has dissuaded people from favouring him, but rather a certain lack of temperament.
However, since his last run in the Test team, his shot selection and excitability have been somewhat tamed.
Maxwell has the ability to play the role of not only the match-winning basher, but also the steady number five or six.
His performances in India, and steady showing in Bangladesh, mean he deserves a chance to start in at least the first two Ashes Tests.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
A responsible "Head down" innings has happened once in Maxwell's career but apparently that is enough, and now that this particular innings has "lifted" his Test average to 37 we should keep him in the team batting at number 6 for the forseeable future. Very Funny
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Are we picking the Test side based on a single performance in India?
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Maxwell has plenty of years left but no temperament and limited ability. That is the issue.
John Erichsen
Guest
How many runs does Maxwell save in the field? It's similar to those arguing that Warner was given far more opportunities in the subcontinent when compared with Khawaja. Is Maxwell the best choice for a test number six? Maybe, maybe not. He is certainly a better option than Mitch Marsh was. He is also one of the best fielders in world cricket so maybe he is seen as a better whole package, for now. One should also look at the series Maxwell was selected for. Away tours in the subcontinent. Hardly the best place to blood a test newbie. In India against Ashwin and Jadeja. If Head struggles, he gets dropped and falls further down the queue. Maxwell got the nod and scored a great test hundred. Not sure why you can't accept that. Travis Head will play test cricket, but he needs to do a little more in Shield cricket and wait a little longer. He probably isn't used to waiting, as he has been fast tracked into state and national sides. Head will earn his spot with consistent shield runs, not with an occasional flashy hard hitting innings in a one day game or T20 hit and giggle match. PS Maxwell at 29 has plenty of years left to prove his worth at test level, if he is good enough. I don't see how being 23 with a lesser FC average makes anybody a better selection choice.
Clayton Waters
Roar Rookie
It's a tough one. He brings a lot but don't think it's fine tuned at the moment. I'd wouldn't like to see Usman not get picked for him as an 'all rounder'. Time will tell!
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
If Usman Khawaja has reason to feel hard done by for being dropped, how much more reason would Hazelwood have. 118 test wickets in 31 tests as 25.75... How can anyone consider dropping him from the test team?? PS. I rate Pattinson very highly but can't see how anything but injury sees him get a nod.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Maxwell is batting in the Number 6 spot. A Test Average of 37 (in his past 4 matches only) just does not cut it! I don't care if he is a Victorian - get him out of the side.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Agree, look at Maxwell's batting in the first test against BD. Yes, he wasn't the only one who threw their wicket away but when he came in to bat in the first innings, a rsponsible innings was needed. A head down responsible dig was required. It didn't happpen.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Maxwell's average in the 2016/2017 SS Season was 25.8, slightly worse than his Test average where he has 1 century and no half-centuries but hey, some people think he earned his spot.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Must be all those rash "shots" at inappropriate times that Maxwell plays that makes you think he is a battler? If I was England Coach I wouldn't mind seeing Maxwell in the side rather than a batsman!
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Dav - Your last statement said it all.
DavSA
Guest
Maxwell strikes me as a battler . The kind of guy that you can go to when the heat is on . Maybe not always the best player in the side. Those of us who have played the game know exactly what I am talking about. Just ask yourselves ...Would England rather have Maxwell in or out ?
AREH
Roar Guru
I don't think anybody doubts he will get first look at the number six spot for the Ashes, and from there it's his to lose. Heck I'd almost give him a place based on that Langer impersonation alone, sensational stuff! Haha
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
No idea Edward but the majority of keepers are very vocal, Nevill is a rare mute.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Starc could make way right now, unless he shows he is back to his best. If Handscomb keeps, you can contemplate Pattinson batting at 7, Cummins 8 and Starc 9. It's as good as we have now anyway. Then you pick all 4.
Marshall
Guest
God I hope not.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Very interesting to hear, Ronan. Do you happen to know what Carey is like on the field? Is he vocal in the mould of Haddin and Wade, because I think that could matter.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Interesting to see Carey started the season in blazing touch on the weekend with a pair of tons in Adelaide grade cricket. The fact that there will be 3 rounds of Shield before the Ashes squad is picked means a lot could change. We could see a bolter or two.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Fun fact, in Maxwell's first stint in the team he is one of the few players ever to open both the batting and the bowling.
Lachie Abbott
Roar Pro
All I care about is Khawaja playing. He is beautiful to watch.