‘He plays too many silly shots’. ‘He should stick to Twenty20’ ‘He doesn’t have the temperament to play Test cricket’.
These are some of the arguments brought up when Glenn Maxwell is discussed as a possible test player.
But are they fair?
In One Day and Twenty 20 cricket, Glenn Maxwell is known for taking risks, going for big shots and doing the reverse sweep. Due to how he plays these formats, many fans have come to the conclusion that Maxwell is not suited to Test cricket.
That is an unfair conclusion to make.
Unfortunately most cricket fans haven’t actually seen Maxwell play red ball cricket. All seven of his test matches have been played overseas which have been shown exclusively on Foxtel, which has a limited audience.
Sheffield Shield games are shown over a live stream stream that most fans don’t even know about.
Glenn Maxwell playing Test cricket. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Many could point to his Test batting average of 26 to say he isn’t up to the standard. The main issue with this argument is that he hasn’t had the opportunity to settle on a spot.
In his seven Tests Maxwell has opened the batting, batted at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. He has never spent more than three innings in the one spot, which makes it hard for a player to find consistency and lock down a spot.
When it comes to the discussion of selecting an all rounder in the Test squad, Maxwell’s name is rarely brought up despite the fact that he is a very good bowler.
His bowling was notoriously underused by former captain Steve Smith. His first class bowling average is 44, while his Test bowling average is slightly better at 42.
Mitch Marsh also has a Test bowling average of 42.
Maxwell has a first class batting average of 41 which is higher than the two other players discussed as potential Test all rounders Mitch Marsh (32) and Marcus Stoinis (34).
Maxwell is clearly Australia’s best all rounder option and deserves a spot in the Test team.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
A well balanced team always has an allrounder. Even when we were smashing the world Gilchrist could and should have been batting at 6. I think it was one of the Chappells that said something like "if your 5 aren't getting the runs 6 won't help you" or " you have the wrong 5". An allrounder is necessary for variation, surprise factor and to cover the usual 1 or 2 guys who are not on song. Just with Lyon in the team an off-spinning allrounder is unnecessary.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Scored a half century in his only match. Was run out backing up.
JamesH
Roar Guru
His test bowling average is 42, which is excellent for a part-timer.
JamesH
Roar Guru
(a) he can play as a batsman alone and just happens to offer handy part-time spin and (b) he's scored more FC runs at a better average than most of those six other blokes. Next question?
JamesH
Roar Guru
Ironically, you have proven the author's point.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@ mxrexdog I have watched Maxwell in Tests on Fox and I agree with you ....... "He plays too many silly shots’. ‘He should stick to Twenty20’ ‘He doesn’t have the temperament to play Test cricket’." And..... "his Test batting average of 26 to say he isn’t up to the standard." I agree with that also. And plz don't compare Maxwell to M Marsh who would have been lucky to even make a shield team 10 yrs ago - he's a total dud.
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
If Maxwell had been given the same chances Marsh & Marsh had then he'd be a regular fixture in the side, his century in Ranchi is enough to prove that. His bowling is not at test standard but his fielding is better than anyone else in the world. If he was batting at 6 he'd be the new Gilchrist.
Savage
Roar Rookie
Maxwell is a good player.nothing more, nothing less. Overall I want to see him in Australia side across all formats.
Mitcher
Guest
You don’t understand cricket. You think you do, but you really don’t.
Ben
Roar Rookie
His many tests has be played compared to Mitch marsh? All of his tests were in overseas conditions mainly in Asia. What is important is first class average where he is averaging over 40.
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
And a lower test match average than all of the top 7. And the same batting average as Mitch Marsh.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
I agree, the hard-done-by pick would be Katich. And i agree with giving them their opportunity when they are in form. I guess my point is that Mexwell should have been retained for the next series and maybe we would have a reliable #5 or 6 already. But you cant retain Hanscomb on current form, and you cant replace him with Mitch Marsh on current form, so where does that leave us now that the entire talent pool is transitioning to smash and bash T20 mode? The best option is to select the form batter in the Shield, but... scheduling... The least worst option is to select whoever is in the best form of those who have a history of successful performance in the past: Burns, Renshaw, Maxwell, Mr Happy (Bailey). I just cant see any evidence that Handscomb has any form currently, and you cant wait another test to make that decision as any replacement needs to be given at least two tests... or what is the point. And we have a series to win - Maxwell knows the Indian bowlers. There is no perfect choice, but there is an opportunity for someone.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
Hmm very Insightful ... it’s too bad you’re wrong.
Extra Short Leg
Roar Rookie
Whether you are a fan of Maxwell or not, based on the evidence available, he appears to have had fewer chances than other players of similar or lesser ability. A chance to bat in familiar conditions at home might be in order.
Paul
Roar Guru
I agree Maxwell's been hard done by, but that's not a reason to pick him now. You can't pick a player because you feel sorry for him, he needs to perform and there needs to be a vacancy. Right now, neither of those 2 things are happening for Maxwell
Paul
Roar Guru
how's he gone in FC cricket this year? I know he's been dicked around and hasn't played as many Shield games as other guys, but he hasn't exactly set the world on fire either.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
We got it the first time , you don’t like Maxwell , now you’re just a bore.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Maxwell has been pretty hard done by on some levels - the incumbency rule only applies to some it seems. His batting should put him as part of the conversation, especially as we have a few batters who look like they can dominate at Shield level but short of Test standard. The big furphy in all of this is the need to have an all rounder. I love the idea of the all rounder and some of my favourite players have held the role. But the only Test we’ve won in donkeys years we had no all rounder. We might like an all rounder, but do we need one? And if we did a FC bowing average of 41 is not up to standard for a Test player. Maxwell the all rounder ? No. Maxwell the batter? Why not?
anon
Roar Pro
Agreed. I think it's criminal how they've victimised Maxwell.
Battler
Roar Rookie
Just a slogger with a 41 FC average, better than most of our top 6.