Glenn Maxwell will be shifted to the top order for Victoria in a Sheffield Shield campaign that will be pivotal to his Ashes hopes.
Maxwell is one of half a dozen contenders for Australia’s No.6 spot and will be desperate to make an impact when Victoria launch their season against Queensland on Thursday.
The all-rounder scored a brilliant maiden Test century in Ranchi during Australia’s tour of India but was unable to consolidate his position with big scores in Bangladesh.
Maxwell’s promotion to Victoria’s top four is one of the first big decisions made by new skipper Peter Handscomb, who is virtually assured of retaining his post as Australia’s No.5 for the Ashes.
“I think we’re going to look to bat him a little bit higher and really give him that opportunity to prove himself,” Handscomb said on Tuesday.
“Having spoken to him, he wants that opportunity as well.
“He really wants to get out there and test himself and take that chance, so I hope he comes out and makes as many runs as he possibly can.”
A fixture of Australia’s one-day and Twenty20 sides, 29-year-old Maxwell has been viewed as a subcontinent specialist at the long-form level and has never played in a home Test series.
Selectors have generally preferred the No.6 batsman at home to also offer a seam bowling option, meaning Maxwell will likely need big scores in the Shield to earn Ashes selection.
“He’s done it for Victoria for a long time now and he did it over in Ranchi in tough conditions against India, making his Test hundred there,” Handscomb said.
“Everyone knows that he can do it. It’s about him coming out now and just showing everyone.”
Handscomb’s promotion to the captaincy comes as Victoria look to claim a fourth consecutive Shield title, starting with a pink-ball clash against the Bulls at the Gabba.
The 26-year-old kept wicket for Victoria in the recent one-day competition but will stick to batting in the Shield, ruling himself out of contention for Australia’s Test vacancy.
“It’s something I want to pursue in short form (but) I don’t particularly want to keep in long-form,” he said.
“I’m happy to go over on tours as a back-up but for long-form, it’s too hard for me to do it, especially because I want to bat top-five or top-four for Australia.”
Don Freo
Guest
You haven't yet learned to speak with adults. At 18, one would think you'd have achieved that. It's a basic human courtesy. Try it. It will open many more doors that those slamming in your face on this site.
Ben Brown
Guest
Jesus you got no clue buddy. Yeah I'm only 18, so I guess you could say i am new to the game, but it still makes me a damn sight more knowledgeable than you, though to be fair that doesn't seem to be hard.
Don Freo
Guest
Duh...because that is not his game or his role. From your comments, I get it. You are new to the game. I'll give you a bit more leeway.
Ben Brown
Guest
Because I'm actually using facts and figures to justify my line of argument, whereas you never do. And if Maxwell has a better armoury of defence why doesn't he open then? Seriously your whole argument is flawed from start to end.
Don Freo
Guest
Good grief! Why do you think being able to read the same numbers chart as everyone else can read actually constitues an argument. Line up all the times Burns has been able to start an innings a get out at any time against the number of times Maxi has has to take risks with the tail. I said nothing about numbers. I wrote about completeness. Maxwell has the full range of shots and has a better armory of defence. More complete.
Ben Brown
Guest
Don I think Burns and Maxwell have what it takes to succeed at Test level, but saying Maxwell is a more complete player is rubbish considering he averages 39.36 batting at 5/6/7 at First-Class level, when Burns averages 38.97 while opening. That would suggest Burns is actually a better player, even with a technique more suited to the middle order, he does a good job as an opener.
George
Guest
I wonder whether Maxwell's Shield form will even be taken into consideration? Symonds used to try batting up higher than 6 for Qld, and failed more often than not - didn't hurt his selection chances.
Don Freo
Guest
Maxwell is a more complete batsman than Burns. Let's start the cricket and see.
Don Freo
Guest
Finch is a manufactured opener. Harris has always opened. Finch is lucky to be there in 4 day cricket I'd have thought they'd be grooming Will Pucovski.
Mattyb
Guest
Geezz dan,hates a bit much,I'm not a fan of Wade at all but I'd never use language like that,glad your proud you got to yell some abuse at him from the safety of the stand though.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Maxwell had apparently been wanting to leave Vic last year but was too late in trying to look for opportunities. I'm guessing with Wade gone he's probably much more comfortable there. #4 is definitely the right spot for Maxwell. Ideally, all the guys pushing for a top-6 berth in the test side want to be batting in the top 4 for their shield side, at the worst really top 5 (eg if they had someone who was a lock in the #3 position so Handscomb slotted into #4, then he'd have to slide down to 5). So good to see him batting there. Wade pushing himself up above Maxwell last year was a very selfish call. Really interested to see how lots of these guys go in these first three shield games. I'm guessing they'll basically pick a squad for the first Ashes test after the second match, but quite possibly will include an extra batsman or two in that squad to then be culled after the third match. Definitely seen them do that before when there's been spots up for grabs in the first test and a few shield rounds beforehand.
dan ced
Guest
Wade is an absolute flog and a terrible cricketer. Glad I got to yell out "go back to grade cricket" when he threw away his wicket V South Africa at Adelaide last year. I used to hate Shaun Marsh because of his constant undeserved recalls.. but that hate has 100% transferred to Wade, and will stay with him until he is banished from international cricket. Interested to see how Maxwell does out of his shadow.
Curious George
Guest
I hope he doesnt Get Burns in at 6 Maxwell wont bowl enough to justify his spot
George
Guest
Indeed. The inept bogan was rewarded if anything.
maverick
Roar Rookie
Maxwell was really frustrated last year when he batted below Wade.He is batting at top 4 this season.Now it's up to him to take this opportunity and start scoring some runs so that selectors have no choice but pick him for the ashes.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Just a shame he got so disproportionately punished for it. Putting your own needs ahead of the team's is not captain material. Any chance I was willing to give Wade was gone after that.
Ben
Roar Rookie
Wade was clearly looking after himself himself instead of the team. Maxwell was always right what he said.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
I think Burns' technique is far better suited to the middle order despite his success as opener until the Sri Lankan series. Like Khawaja, Burns paid a price for the lack of suitable preparation for the tests in Sri Lanka. Joe drew a terrible barrier in replacing an injured Shaun Marsh for the debacle at Bellerive. He even had to walk out with a different opening partner in the 2nd dig as a clever declaration by Faf caught Warner off the field for too long to open in the second innings. Even with these details a double failure there seemed to be the final straw for selectors and no more Joe. Hard to argue with his dropping given the success Renshaw had in his first few tests, but one hopes the selectors haven't forgotten Joe completely.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Yeah it's insane. Maxwell should've been batting at 4 for years now.
Matting wicket
Guest
The thing that irritates me the most after reading the article, is that a year ago, Wade was batting ahead of Maxwell in the Shield. Given what has transpired since that time, how rediculess was that decision? How did Victoria let that happen.