Glenn Maxwell’s isn’t panicking about the potential effect his turbulent tour of India may have on his dream of retaining the Test No. 6 spot for the Ashes.
Maxwell is under pressure to keep his spot after Australia’s Test tour of Bangladesh, where he averaged 33 across two matches.
The 28-year-old was dropped during the one-day series against India and returned to the fold for Sunday’s T20 in Ranchi but struggled for a disappointing 17 from 16 balls.
Maxwell said selectors had made it clear whoever performs well in three highly anticipated Sheffield Shield games would get the nod.
“There’s still a fair bit of time to go,” Maxwell said.
“I’d like to get the opportunity if I do play well in those three Shield games. To play in the Ashes would be an absolute dream.”
Maxwell has been part of a broader issue for Australia’s middle order: their tendency for collapse.
They get another chance to make amends in a must-win T20 with India in the northeastern city of Guwahati on Tuesday.
“I’m not sure any one in that middle order’s made runs consistently during this tour. I think all of us have probably got to stand up,” Maxwell said.
But such awareness of the issue hasn’t been reflected on the scoreboard. Australia’s batsmen have acknowledged their shortcomings only for India’s attack to repeatedly bring them undone.
Fast bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have emerged as some of the best finishers in limited-overs cricket, while wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have done damage through the middle overs.
Maxwell has been dismissed by Chahal in all four of his innings on this tour, but insists he is no bunny.
“I think if you look at all the games, I came in and you need to up the run rate, so he’s just the lucky guy who’s getting my wicket at the moment,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell believes it is unlikely losing both the ODI and T20 series in India will impact Australia’s momentum heading into the Ashes.
But making sure losing doesn’t become a habit is vital in the tour’s final two matches.
“As a group I think we need to be winning games of cricket,” Maxwell said.
The series wraps up on Friday in Hyderabad, a little less than two weeks from the first Shield games.
Ahead of a crucial six weeks, Maxwell says he isn’t short of confidence but admits the pressure has amplified.
“Hopefully there’s runs around the corner,” he said.
Roshan
Guest
My team for ashes Warner Rensaw khawaja Smith Handscomb Bancroft(wk) head Starc Cummins Lyon Hazlewood 12 behendroff
dan ced
Guest
When it comes to long form I'd rather Tom Cooper than Maxwell, bowls useful offies and would certainly score more runs than Maxwell. Why give flogs like Henriques more chances, he didn't cut it, give someone else a chance to prove themselves. I'd almost put Nevill in the same boat, dominant at domestic level but flakes out when the stakes are high on the international stage. I also don't rate Lyon that highly and want to see how Zampa will do, since he has more variations and fight in him. Here's my Ashes XI, which changes daily: Warner, Renshaw, Klinger, Smith, Handscomb, Cooper, Carey(+), Starc, Sayers, Hazelwood & Zampa Some may think Klinger is in there for a long running joke.. but he would score runs, most of the people we pick simply don't.
Andrew
Guest
If we need to have an allrounder then go with Stoinis otherwise I'd be happy with Burns at 6.
Ronnie
Guest
When are we going to stop talking about this non performing, HIGHLY overrated non event? Spend some time on genuine batsmen not imposter Maxwell. Just look at his averages across the 3 formats. He is a chosen one that should be axed.
Brasstax
Guest
Michell Marsh walked in as Australian text number six for 20 odd test matches. Maxwell at six despite his inconsistencies should be a huge step above in quality.
nick
Guest
I also like the idea of Burns at 6. The guy scored 3 hundreds in 13 games... to give you an idea, watson scored 4 from 59. Having played those 13 tests he'll be more mentally equipped to deal with the pressure than a stoinis or cartwright (heaven forbid, henriques or m marsh) and is far more solid than Maxwell. Even without Stokes, England bat very deep and if Warner and Smith don't fire, we suddenly look very light on runs. Maybe Burns will help proof us against collapses - which will happen at some stage and we won't have Haddin bailing us out of trouble in every single test this time around.
Paul
Roar Guru
read what I wrote. Maxwell doesn't have what it takes to bat for a day "consistently". Sometimes we need guys to bat for time and he can't do that "consistently".
Mike Dugg
Guest
Pray tell, how did Lyon go well last summer? He would've been out of a job if not for O'Keefe's ill discipline. Starc I see just played a domestic one dayer in his first cricket since early June.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Sadly, I agree that the love child will play at 6 and the other love child, Wade will also play. Both should be forgotten for the Ashes. Burns, Jake Lehman or Patterson for 6. It won't happen.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
What as water boy? he didn't have a good test series against Bangladesh. Fortget him. Pick 6 straight out batsmen, say Warner, Renshaw, Khawaja, Smith, Hanscomb and Burns.Jake Lehman, Patterson. We don't have any all rounders and haven't since Watson's early days.
Jake
Guest
Renshaw is 20 and has played more tests on the subcontinent than he has in Australia. Ditto Handscomb. They will feast on this weak english bowling. Quite "Lyon was pasted all over Australia last summer............starc hasn’t bowled a ball in anger for ages." No he wasn't and yes he has. Do you watch cricket at all?
George
Guest
Quite.
AREH
Roar Guru
Is he entirely hit and giggle though? Sure it might be his biggest strength (or weakness), but this isn't quite just a white-ball slogger who gets into the test team off the back of some blistering T20 knocks like England have done with Malan. Maxwell has a first-class average just under 40. Might've had a little lean run against Bangladesh, but should he score well in the first three Shield rounds, he will probably be retained.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Aussies have got problems other than Maxwell. Renshaw now averaging 36 has to get back to making runs, Handscomb has to cement his place still, warner and smith will have to make the bulk of the runs, Khawaja has been in and out of the side, Wade hardly makes a run, Lyon was pasted all over Australia last summer, our fast bowlers hardly can get on the pitch etc etc. starc hasn't bowled a ball in anger for ages.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Maxwell will be there first test, but first sign of trouble, he will be the first guy dropped. Just like Khawaja
Curious George
Guest
Bushie..Maddinson is no chance bro Cartwright maybe Maxi is the love child at the moment plus he has his hands in the back pocket oh Le-ham and Smith (the badly spoken (sounds fake when he talks) "captain" who gets manipulated by Warner and the other boyz) Gets Burns in for the solid no. 6 bat End of thread.
Ben
Roar Rookie
It was a t20 and he was put there to score runs quickly even if it meant taking risks. We lost because we didn't have enough runs on the board. Head for some reason is not facing the same scrutiny as maxwell. He hasn't performed in India and the last game he was playing as if it was one dayer. The rest of the middle order didn't perform either. Stoinis should have played instead of Christian. He has made a hundred at 6 unlike marsh and should be given a chance in Australian conditions.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I don't think much is hanging on limited overs stuff in India, but then we probably all thought that before Bailey's selection four years ago. Still, you'd like to think that performances in the first few Shield rounds will determine this stuff. As others have said, assuming he bats well in those matches and no one knocks the door down with back-to-back-to-back centuries (such as Cartwright or Maddison,. whom they seem to love), you'd think he'll get first shot.
Curious George
Guest
Paul you are spot on in every comment :) Especially: "The current Australian Test side needs a good, steady batsman at number 6, not some flashy hit and miss cricketer"
Sillycowcorner
Guest
I like the idea of Burns at 6