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.
(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.
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.
Thankfully he’s a resilient campaigner with all eyes watching which Maxwell turns up to play.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Neither Maxwell or Marsh are test worthy, There are better players who are worth a shot. Hats off to England for giving players a chance with little experience, talk about walking into the fire.
DLKN
Guest
David Warner - a "superb" fieldsman? I disagree. He's a highly enthusiastic, whole-hearted ground fieldsman, but prone to mis-fields, and his throwing arm is strong, but inaccurate. And he has dropped more than his share of catches when in the cordon. Superb he is not. And a neck twinge won't improve things. Warner's no Maxwell. And he's definitely no Ponting or Symonds.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Marsh is playing. They better send Maxwell back to play for the vics.
FNQ Boy
Guest
Maxwell was left out initially because he is suspect to the short ball. Heard Robert Craddock confirm that on radio earlier this week. If that is the case he gets left out of tests in Australia, what has changed in the last week ? Stuff all. What a farce these selections are
madmonk
Guest
Its as if David has stopped trying to be the big show and replaced OTT hyperbole with measured analysis. This lad who has wasted many opportunities sacrificing reader respect for click bait in the past has knuckled down and done the team thing. He might prove to be a late blooming success.
Curious George
Guest
spruce, i am entittled to my opinion please Both warner and marsh will play maxwell is just in for cover go team australia! win this first game! go cricket! we will win the first 2 periods of the day, the poms might fight back in the final period :(
Nick
Roar Guru
This is, by a considerable margin, the fairest article I think David has ever written on Maxwell. There were even compliments of Maxwell!
Jason Rebelo
Roar Pro
I hope he plays and scores a big hundred. The selectors obsession with Marsh needs to be killed. I can only criticise Marsh for poor shots and erratic performance. I can criticise the selectors for a lot more: 1. Youth or experience? Make up your mind 2. Batsman or all rounder at 6? 3. Why drop an incumbent for someone who has done just as well in the Shield? 4.Why pick players with extensive injury histories? 5.Why pick players I.e. Paine who aren’t even playing for their state in their position? 6. Why influence Shield team declarations or bowling or batting orders? 7.Why persist with a boys club instead of performance based selections? 8. Why pick potential and style over performance? 9. Why continuously chop and change the no.6 spot? Is this now the new spinner slot like after Warne retired? Will we chop and change for years before we realise that there is no Hail Mary Hussey replacement? Maxwell scoring a big hundred would be the best thing to happen to Australian Cricket since we stopped dropping Lyon after 1 bad game.
Curious George
Guest
Edward, apparently it is like 1% chance of playing Warner is fine and Marsh just need a pain pill to go on.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Has anyone got new on this yet this morning? What the likelihood? If he doesn't play I sure hope they release him from the squad to play first class cricket tomorrow.
Curious George
Guest
An absolute disgrace that this is the next cab off the rank in regards to "batting"\ What a slap in the face the young guns who have been performing such as LEhmann, Weatherald and Harris. If Maxwell plays, I only wish him ill.
Josh
Guest
Maxwell came back into tje test team in India and Bangladesh and averzges 37. Only Smith did better across those 2 tours. Somehow Shaun Marsh who had a worse average then Maxwell in the 3 shield matches got back in. Perhaos if his name had been Glenn Marsh he would have been a cert. Hooe he plays today and does well because for once he deserves his spot.
Ironmonger
Guest
I for one am excited by the mere prospect of Maxwell playing. I'm far more likely to turn on the tv to watch when he is paying than Marsh (and David - you need to edit your first sentence).