Glenn Maxwell has once again been overlooked for Australian selection, with veteran batsman Cameron White earning a surprise recall to the one-day squad for the upcoming ODI series against England.
Maxwell was a surprise omission from the initial one-day squad, with big-hitting batsman Chris Lynn picked ahead of the Victorian all-rounder. However, with Lynn picking up an injury which will see him miss the series against England, many had assumed Maxwell would earn a belated selection.
That, however, has proved not to be the case, the selectors instead opting for Cameron White.
White hasn’t played a one-dayer for Australia since 2015, but has been in excellent form for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash. Batting at first drop, White is the tournament’s second-leading run-scorer, behind only D’Arcy Short, with 285 runs from six matches at the absurd average of 142.5.
The 34-year-old also scored 200 runs at 50 in the JLT Cup earlier in the season, with selectors clearly impressed by the form of the veteran.
“He’s in very good form as his figures demonstrate, he’s playing very well,” selector Trevor Hohns said.
“He’s one of the leading run-scorers in the KFC BBL, he’s experienced, he’s a very smart cricketer and he’s a good fielder.
“He ticks all the boxes for what we need at this stage.”
In addition to Maxwell, White pipped the likes of Short and in-form Scorchers batsman Ashton Turner to claim his place in the ODI squad, and is in serious contention to line up in Australia’s middle order against England.
White’s call-up is effective immediately, meaning he won’t be available for selection for the Renegades’ upcoming Big Bash derby against the Melbourne Stars. White had been set to lead the Renegades with regular skipper Aaron Finch out on international duty, but the captaincy will now be handed to veteran Brad Hodge.
White had been asked about his chances of getting back in the Australian side just last month, responding that he thought it unlikely.
“I think if I was going to get picked I probably would have been picked in the past couple of years, I would have thought, with my white-ball form,” he said at the time.
“There’s always hope but I don’t think so.”
Australia’s first game of the series against England is scheduled for this Sunday, January 14.
Australia ODI squad for series vs England
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
I am struggling to find a selection that has not been justified this year (and the non-selection of Maxwell is another wine for the panel)!
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
They drop Maxwell for a lack of consistency but are themselves the very model of inconsistency, with their selections. Don't get me wrong. I am happy for White to get another chance in the national side, but he seems a strange replacement for the injured Chris Lynn, when other players have cases just as strong and are much younger.
Brian
Guest
Why is Head a lock?
Rob
Guest
White doesn't look out of place in the ODI team. He form with the bat in that format is very solid and he has a good set of hands. The thing I've always liked about Maxwell is his ability to do well when others are struggling. He can switch on and totally turn a game that others can't. Maxi has stood up under pressure in all forms of Cricket at every level. The 2015 WC at home was huge and he was the equal of Warner and Smith. His numbers in India first time were better than Lyon, and his batting on the last tour of India was 2nd only to Smith. Maxwell can only keep putting the numbers up and rub it in the nose of his detractors. I hope he does. Smithy needs to be a bit smarter about his conduct as well at times in my opinion.
Kris
Guest
Maxwell is fighting Stoinis and M.Marsh for the middle-order / allrounder spot. He was unlikely to get the top-order spot. In any case whether it is White or Maxwell they are probably going to be 15th man and not get a game in any case.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Why? Have they been making unexplained errors of late?
jammel
Guest
I like the White selection - he is in good form now, and can play responsibly if required to recover an innings. Form should be rewarded. That's what Maxwell needs to be able to do to make his way back into the ODI fold - play some responsible innings. That - and sheer weight of runs - is the way back! Note the points about preparing for the next World Cup though..... Darcy Short is a must for the Australian T20 team this summer! Personally, though, for the ODIs I would have gone UTK or SMarsh before White.
Rob
Guest
Controlling, deadly serious, focused and with OCD character traits(Steve Smith). Happy, smiling, cheeky with a care free take on life (Maxwell). You can see why Smithy would be irritated and unwelcoming. Maxi would be more fun to hang with though.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
At least Aussies have someone who won't drop dollies.
Jeremy
Guest
Steve Smith: great batsmen, tosser of a bloke.
Nudge
Guest
Yeah well I think you need to check that Perry before saying so confidently he has snubbed Australian cricket. I have not heard anywhere that he has retired from first class cricket or domestic one day cricket, although due to his long injury history I don’t think that’s too far away. I think you’ll find Qld cricket went to Lynn suggesting that it would be best for Qld cricket to offer a contract to a young kid until Lynn was able to get back on the park. From what I remenber he was disappointed but understood.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Is it time to test the Selection Panel for dementia?
Ben Brown
Guest
If there is a silver lining in all of this for Maxwell, it really allows him a lot of time over the next 2-3 months in the BBL and the Shield to really put his mind in a good place, get his game right, and pile on the runs so when one of our (IMO) mediocre middle order players in the LO sides finally finds themselves out of the team, Maxwell can storm back in and cement himself in the team for the next 7-8 years.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Nudge For Lynn and QLD, there were reports Aug 14th that he'd been snubbed, when the list was released but a couple of days late it was clarified that he'd decided to focus on T20s and said no thanks. Just where exactly the total truth is.....but that's what was reported. Brain fade dismissals - if they'd used that logic Warner would get dropped for his shocking swing at Root in the MCG test, or Haddin would've never got a game. And that's test cricket - which actually means something!!!
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
Looking at the squad I recon white is the reserve batsman so it’s unlikely he’ll play unless there’s an injury, or if someone gets rested.
Dan
Guest
Lynn was injured during domestic comp and given his injury record of course he would chase big money in T20s. It does seem strange to pick White but likely Stoinulis will bat 6 and Marsh 5.
Big Daddy
Guest
You may be right. Can only go off website stats ??? Still go figure. Why wouldn't some one like kurtis Patterson get a run in that side
nekraj bharitya
Roar Rookie
Sydney Thunder V Perth Scorchers Top Bat Khwaja and Klinger 06 Over 45 Not Lambi 170 Not Winner will be Sydney Thunder.
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Think Cricinfo have got that one wrong. It's actually very highly rated 17yo Mack Harvey, nephew of Ian. Scored a nice 50 by the looks of it. Hopefully we see him in the Victorian side soon.
Rob
Guest
I thought Hohns had said Cameron White wasn't in Australias plans going ahead a while back. I fully expected D'arcy Short and would have been shocked to see Maxwell in a side with Smithy as captain. I didn't think Turner would get a start as Smith doesn't feel comfortable with spin. Lyn in commentry against the Hurricans mentioned Maxwell as someone people could look up (coaching on his App)? I notice Maxi post something about D'arcy Short going well. I'm getting a feeling there's a division within the philosophies between cricketer playing the different formats. Some like to have fun, entertain and enjoy themselves whilst others are ultra competitive, totally driven by successs and stats. They definetly don't mix. Maybe Lyn doesn't feel comfortable in that enviroment so he felt he needed to sit out? Goerge Bailey's(win at an price) appeal for interferience upset McCallum (just loves playing the game).