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Glenn Maxwell's Test career at the crossroads

Glenn Maxwell celebrates a century. Was it his last in the baggy green? (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Expert
22nd November, 2017
13

If Shaun Maxwell’s back spasm means Glenn Maxwell’s chequered Test career resumes at the Gabba today, he’d better make the most of the belated opportunity.

There’s no argument the 29-year-old Maxwell is a rare batting talent, if only he’d harness his deep down wish to be a hero batsman smashing maximums, or reverse sweeping, instead of treating every delivery on its merits.

He’s only played seven Tests since he debuted against India at Hyderabad in March 2013 with 13 and eight, when the Australians were hammered by an innings and 135 runs.

But just seven Tests in over four years is testimony to the fact that apart from a patient 104 off 185 with nine fours and a couple of sixes in Ranchi, that’s his only half-century or better in 14 visits to the crease.

For his talent, that’s not the ‘Big Show’, it’s a no show.

His 341 Test runs at an average of 27.07 is further proof of his wasted natural ability.

That lone Test ton took a tick over six hours, which showed exactly what Maxwell can achieve if he knuckled down with responsible batting.

He has the power, and the quality hand-eye co-ordination, to be a consistent world class batsman if he leaves all the low percentage fancy shots in the shed.

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Australia Test player Glenn Maxwell raises his bat

(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

If he plays today, there will be two immediate bonuses.

His presence will dramatically lift the fielding capabilities of the baggy greens – a major bonus.

Even when Maxwell is failing with bat and ball, he’s always a world class fieldsman. He’s many rungs up the ladder compared to Shaun Marsh who must have thought all his Christmases had come at once when he was selected in the first place.

The other bonus, small as it is, gives skipper Steve Smith an added bowling option – Maxwell has been known to take the odd wicket with his offies.

But the true bonus will be with the bat, if the real Maxwell turns up to play.

That number six in the Australian batting order has been a huge problem since the brilliantly consistent Mike Hussey called it a day.

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But Maxwell can make it his own if he uses, instead of abuses, his rich natural talent.

Another superb fieldsman in David Warner is the other Gabba question mark.

Injuring his neck during fielding practice could be a crippling accident to Australia’s chances.

Warner could cope with just about any other minor injury, but problems with the neck will severely hamper his exciting strokeplay.

Hopefully persistent medical attention since will mean far less restrictions on his footwork, or he will be an early casualty.

There’s one built-in replacement in Usman Khawaja to open, with Jake Lehmann making his debut in the middle order – but Warner would be a massive loss.

Steve Smith has had a lot of negatives to contend with in the lead-up to this Ashes opener.

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Thankfully he’s a resilient campaigner with all eyes watching which Maxwell turns up to play.

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