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The selectors’ fallacy: Glenn Maxwell is not a Test Cricketer

Roar Rookie
25th December, 2018
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Roar Rookie
25th December, 2018
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2362 Reads

Here’s my question to the Australian cricket selectors: Why is Glenn Maxwell not in the Test squad?

This is not just my question, but one from millions of Australian cricket fans all over the world. Maxwell is often harshly criticised for playing some of the most outrageous cricket shots in short formats of the game for Australia.

Are these criticisms reasonable? Perhaps they are, in the shorter formats of the game.

Due to the way he has played in the shorter formats, many fans and it seems, even selectors believe that Maxwell is not suited for Test cricket. Here are the facts: Maxwell’s first-class batting average of 41.10 is higher than every Australian cricket player in the current squad besides Usman Khawaja.

Maxwell hasn’t played a single Test match in Australia. He has played seven Test matches in the sub-continent where he has been asked to bat in a number of different positions with no consistent opportunities to showcase his ability.

Maxwell proved his worth by scoring a century in India, proven to be one of the toughest conditions to bat for Australian cricketers. He is also one of the best fielders in the world.

Justin Langer, the Australian cricket coach, hinted at the return of all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for the Boxing Day Test replacing Peter Handscomb, labelling the need for a fifth bowler at the MCG pitch.

Fair enough too, the MCG likely does require a fifth bowling option if we look at the history.

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However, is Mitchell Marsh the best option? His bowling average despite playing 35 Test matches is 42.45. If we look at Maxwell’s, it is 42.62 from just seven matches. Maxwell can bowl just as well.

In cricket, with more experience, you expect players to improve their performances. Mitchell Marsh has been given 35 opportunities to prove his worth and is often labelled as someone with ‘great potential’, which we haven’t seen. He averages just 26.08 with the bat in Test cricket.

Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell, whose batting average trumps Marsh’s with more than 10 in first-class cricket, has been given zero opportunities to play Test cricket in Australia.

We all know the job of selectors is not easy. It is a tough job and it is impossible to make everyone happy.

However, I must ask selectors one question: Why is Maxwell not in the Test squad?

The issue of not picking Glenn Maxwell for Test Cricket seems more like a lack of foresight from our selectors rather than his ability to perform, and it is very frustrating to see that as an Australian cricket fan.

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