Judging by the post selection comments from Steve Smith and Trevor Hohns, Glenn Maxwell had none and Buckleys of making Australia’s 14-strong ODI squad.
Skipper Smith was scathing in his comments:
“He has to give up the funky stuff, and stick to basics.
“Just looking at the way he trains, I think he could train smarter.”
Selection chairman Hohns didn’t miss either:
“What we have wanted from him is more consistency, but in his last 20 matches in this format he has averaged 22, and we need more than that from a player in the side’s batting engine room.”
It would be fair to assume selection was a direct head-to-head competition with the barnstorming Queenslander Chris Lynn.
They clashed with one another at the MCG in the Big Bash League two nights ago with Maxwell top-scoring for the Melbourne Stars with 50 off 39, while Lynn top-scored for the Brisbane Heat with an unbeaten 63 off 46.
But there’s no point in Lynn buying a Lotto ticket this week, he’s used up all his quota of good fortune at the ‘G.
Lynn was dropped by John Hastings on his third ball for a duck, and having been sawn off by a dreadful caught behind umpiring decision in the previous game for another third-ball duck, it would have been mighty brave of the selectors to pick him after one dig of 25 off nine in his only other appearance after serious shoulder surgery.
Since the surgery, there’s still a big question mark over Lynn’s fielding capabilities, especially diving, but selectors are obviously keen to overlook that fact.
That’s one capacity where Maxwell reigns supreme. Even in his darkest days with the bat, he’s always one of the best fieldsmen in world cricket in any format.
But Steve Smith has made it crystal clear he has to clean up his attitude and strokeplay, or he can forget his international career.
We all know he would be a major asset to Australian cricket if he can get his act into gear.
So the future is entirely up to Glenn Maxwell – it’s shape up, or ship out.
Australian ODI squad
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, and Adam Zampa.
Simoc
Guest
I think the criticism is ok. Warner had the best technique in cricket for ages but his brain took a while to cotton on. Now he is verging on becoming a great player. Maxwell has excess ability but his brain is still well short of his ability. It is apparent Smith is rarely going to use Maxwell as a spinner so his batting is where it is at. Cricket outside the Ashes is all about T20 the world over, and Maxwell won't starve waiting for an opportunity there.
Jarryd
Guest
Clarke was tactically astute but another terrible man manager. Not a lot of charisma in Aussie cricket these days.
Big Daddy
Guest
Is Maxwell the jarryd Hayne of cricket. A lot of australian sportsman take for granted they should be picked on reputation. Too much influence from domestic coaches and a little bit nepotism always helps. Probably best fielder and most destructive batsman on his day but it looks like he's taken someone's lollies.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Given Smith's Spate of dropped catches in the last couple of tests, perhaps he should focus more on his own training sessions...
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Thanks Spruce. I originally thought that, but read somewhere it was at the SCG. I should have double checked
dan ced
Guest
"he also might be the new D.Bradman of official interfering." Gold. I don't think he should be captain, his jobs for mates mentality endangers Australian Cricket. Maddinson? Really? I'd rather Warner who seems a bit more affable, but still driven enough to get the squad into gear.
Nick
Roar Guru
"Before haters start bleating about playing games on a flat MCG pitch, his 278 was scored at the SCG." Nope, it was scored at North Sydney Oval. The flattest of flattest pitches and the smallest of the smallest grounds. That aside, no one else got near 278 in that match, so it was a great innings.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
The Chairman of Selectors gave the reason for Maxwell being dropped. Like it or not, it has some substance. However, Steve Smith airing dirty laundry in public is a cheap act and very disappointing. Praise in public and rebuke in private is what the best leaders do. Smith obviously has much to learn about some aspects of captaincy and getting the best out of players. Maxwell has already shown this summer, a more responsible approach to his batting. That has been displayed in his 590 runs from the five shield games this season, the highest total of any player. His average of 73.75 is also the best of those who have played all five games. Before haters start bleating about playing games on a flat MCG pitch, his 278 was scored at the SCG.
not so super
Guest
stop making sense, Anon
not so super
Guest
100% wrong.
anon
Roar Pro
“What we have wanted from him is more consistency, but in his last 20 matches in this format he has averaged 22, and we need more than that from a player in the side’s batting engine room.” So why did they bring back Mitch Marsh into the Test team. Marsh had averaged 21 over 32 Test innings. This is in Tests where you can dig in and bat for hours. Maxwell comes in at number 6 in the 45th over of a ODI and is expected to score as quickly as he can. Yet still managed a higher average in ODIs than Marsh in Tests. It's personal between the selectors/Smith and Maxwell. He's being victimised for some reason. Maybe because of the money and success he's had in the IPL. Maybe a bit of jealousy. A few players that might think it should be them making big money and having a big profile in India. Maybe a bit of resentment that he doesn't need Cricket Australia to make a good living. It can't be just about fitness because Maxwell is far fitter right now than Chris Lynn.
ozinsa
Guest
Yeah Frankie. Agreed. I like Smith as a bloke and a captain but his public flaying of Maxwell is out of order. Surely that’s a comment for one on one discussion?
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Smith bending over backwards to keep his NSW brother Khawaja in the Test side despite Khawaja being hopeless against spin and swing. Maxwell is told to score runs and still gets screwed over. If the selectors really think Mitch Marsh will consistently score runs at Test level after his fluke showing at Perth are delusional. Maxwell averages more in first class(first class minus Test record) cricket than Bancroft, Khawaja, S Marsh, M Marsh and Paine. Smith bullying Maxwell because the Victorian refuses to kiss Smith's ass.
concerned supporter
Guest
Hi David, 1/ Isn't Nathan Lyon called G.O.A.T ? Why wasn't he selected? 2/ S.Smith may be a great batsman, but he certainly is not a great captain.M.Clarke , captain wise left him for dead. He might be the new D. Bradman of batting, but he also might be the new D.Bradman of official interfering.