Yesterday morning Australian skipper Steve Smith and the twice overlooked Glenn Maxwell met in Melbourne over coffee.
It was Smith who had previously ventured the opinion that Maxwell wasn’t selected in the ODI squad because he played too many funky shots and needed to train smarter.
Last night Maxwell seemed to have reacted to the coffee break by not playing one funky shot in his unbeaten 31 off 16 with two fours and two sixes, and he followed that up with four catches to set a new Big Bash record for a non-keeper.
Maxwell played a small part in the Melbourne Stars’ first BBL win after eight straight losses. Small it may have been, but for Maxwell’s future as an international it was big.
Maxwell’s appearance at the crease was delayed for 13 overs as Peter Handscomb and Kevin Pietersen flogged the Melbourne Renegades attack in a 110-run second-wicket stand. With less than seven overs in hand, there wasn’t really enough time for Maxwell to get among the big runs.
He received a let-off on seven when Mohammad Nabi dropped a sitter at extra cover and when Tom Cooper made a real hash of a chance at long one from the very next ball. Instead of moving forward for a waist-high catch, Cooper was slow off the mark and ended up taking the ball on the half volley.
Normally Maxwell would celebrate two let-offs with a series of reverse sweeps, ramping or any other Maxwell manufactured funky shot. But not last night. He stuck to playing every delivery on its merits in a major step in the right direction.
(AAP Image/Rob Blakers)
Let’s get my perspective on Glenn Maxwell right for all time. He has always been one of the most naturally gifted cricketers on the planet.
All he had to do was treat every delivery on its merit and stop trying to be a smart-arse batsman who loves thrilling big crowds but who got out far too early and far too cheaply.
It’s been a career of wasted opportunities, yet the pro-Maxwell clan keep bringing up the odd dig where he’s fired, completely ignoring the many where he’s failed miserably.
A tragic waste of talent not only personally but for Australia as well.
Keeper Matthew Wade did his mate Maxwell no favours by nicknaming him the Big Show, which Maxwell tried so hard to live up to. It wasn’t long before Maxwell was better known as the No Show.
Fingers crossed yesterday’s coffee break with the skipper has cleared the air and cleaned out the Big Show mentality for all time.
Let his wonderful natural ability shine through and the Australian team in all three formats will have a major asset. Revert to type and the closest Glenn Maxwell will get to playing for Australia again will be watching them perform on television.
In short, Glenn Maxwell’s future is entirely up to Glenn Maxwell.
elvis
Guest
"Superior tactician Waugh". ??? I take it you weren't watching test cricket back then... Taylor had cricketing brains to spare, possibly the only thing that kept him in the team during a wretched run of form. Definitely a more astute captain than Waugh.
DaveJ
Guest
A B de Villiers just reverse swept Ashwin, i.e against the spin, the second ball he faced from him, and in his second over at bat, score 2-10! No one batted an eyelid. I think it depends on whether you can reliable execute shots as to whether people take exception. Though it was a bit bizarre, especially when there was a man placed at point to stop the four.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Some of us on the pro-Maxwell side have been more enamoured by his relatively orthodox but highly authorative red ball play. And have bemoaned his pigeon holing as a white ball cricketer which in effect is destroying his career and pushing him towards a T20 circus career.
Rob
Guest
Thank you James. Surprised I wasn't corrected on that by the Don?
JamesH
Roar Guru
I agree with the thrust of your post but not the detail. There was almost a riot when Gilly ousted Healy. Taylor was a far better tactician than Waugh. And I can’t think of any Tasmanian players that were gifted unjustified debuts in Ponting’s era.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Just FYI Rob, Maxwell’s average over those 6 digs was 40, not 33. You forgot the not out. So he and Marsh averaged basically the same.
Maggie
Guest
Hope David Lord saw Jason Roy’s ‘funky’ reverse sweep duing Roy’s record-breaking 180 runs in today’s ODI.
Rob
Guest
"You argue that the 33 is better than the 40. I guess when you believe something…" is your spin Don.
Daddy
Guest
We may have found David's issue though. He is on a crusade against the reverse sweep! Glen maxwell is just collateral damage.
Don Freo
Guest
Marsh is not in the team because he wasn't picked. He was not injured when this team was selected. As for the numbers...I quoted Rob. That's you!!!
Rob
Guest
Come on Don, Where did I say 33 is better than 40. Maxwell is probably worth 10-20 in the field comparing him to Shaun. I could say Shaun was more inconsistent than Maxwell and Shaun was probably at an advantage batting on flatter pitches(WACA) than Maxwell in those games. Take out the lively Gabba wicket and he's average is 57. Shaun Marsh is injured so that is why he isn't in the ODI team? Finch isn't in great form at the moment either, with 51 and 76 his highest score whilst having 6 scores under 10runs in his last 11 innings. He's probably holding his spot because of his performance against India in the ODI's almost 4 months ago? Strange that it didn't apply to Maxwell's selection on his Test performance in India keeping his spot for the Ashes.
Dave
Guest
If there is even a small chance maxwell could become as good as Warner or smith you would have to try. If he doesn't work out so be it but the potential upside is huge. That's why I didn't like the Shaun marsh selection. I am loving Marsh at the moment but he is 34 years old. Mike Hussey is one of my favourite players ever and I wished he could of been in team earlier. The reasons Hussey couldn't get in the side are a lot different to maxwells. I can't fathom why someone with as much natural talent as maxwell hasn't been given a decent run. The sectors should be backing thier coaches to fix any technical issues he has.
Jameswm
Guest
The best news is the two of them catching up. Hopefully they chatted about how Maxi can work his way back in.
Jameswm
Guest
It’s the grip. I think no grip changes, and do what you want
Don Freo
Guest
40 is 'not screami ng pick me'. 33 is 'not screamin g totally out of form'. You argue that the 33 is better than the 40. I guess when you believe something... There is no bias against Maxwell. There is just not a spot. Shaun Marsh is one of the best ODI players in world cricket but as an opener. Aaron Finch keeps scoring so there is no place for Marsh. That's how it works.
Bob Sims
Guest
Really well put, Stuart. For Maxi's sake, the sake of Australian cricket and the sake of the cricketing public, I really hope that Maxi's cards haven't been marked, but it is looking ominous. He definitely has a new found sense of cricketing maturity and, for his part, he won't just go away. Regardless, the snub of not being a walk-up start at six for the Ashes after having done so well in India must have stung. Unfortunately, Australian Test cricket has seen more than just a few quality cricketers treated shabbily by the establishment because they didn't "fit in".
ozinsa
Guest
I’m not arguing with you Chris but I think for limited over stuff current State form may be a better indicator of output than previous Aust form. We know he’s up to the level - Best player in a WC shows he can step up. I reckon opposition are more afraid of Maxwell at 6 than any of our other options. And he’s the best fielder we have by some way and bowls OK (if tossed the ball) in ODI. If he couldn’t buy a run with recent form there’d be a discussion but in this household he is picked every time otherwise
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
He was won a WC as a player ,has a century on Indian soil something which LARA CAN'T BOOST OFF. Also ,the second Australian player to score ton in all format .He is going well and he is just 29 .He is being harshly treated by Lehmann and Smith.He just needs backing in tough times.Players like him are confidence player .By talking about Maxwell in press ,Smith has put a loads of pressure on Maxwell.
Rob
Guest
Well said Stuart.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Great post. The problem with Max is that he ain't going away. His treatment, for being different, borders on bullying.