Australia’s loss in the second Test against Sri Lanka this week already has the pundits looking for answers before the Test tour of India in February next year.
But let’s hope that one of those solutions thrown up, in regards to the use of Glenn Maxwell, this week is not one that will be considered at that time.
There is already an understandable conversation happening in regards to Australia’s assault on India early next year, in the same way as there will be on Australia’s assault on England in 12 months’ time. And both will require completely different strategies – and probably players – if success is to come in those series.
One of the selection solutions that almost occurred in the just-completed Test match was to look to select Maxwell to replace Mitchell Starc as a third spinning option and to bat at number 8 in the order. To me, that was beyond ridiculous, though in some circles it was seen as ‘thinking outside of the box’.
There are several reasons why I feel this way.
Firstly, Maxwell hasn’t played a first-class match against the red ball since 2019. No matter what his form is like in white-ball cricket at international and domestic level, does that make him the right person to step into the cauldron of Test cricket?
Secondly, his bowling is only very part-time, of which Australia already had several similar options in the team, such as Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Surely if a third spin option was deemed as required, it had to be a specialist spin bowler chosen.
Thirdly, it demeans his ability with the bat to put him in the Test team at number eight if he is going to be chosen at all. He scored a century in India in the top six, which is why his name keeps popping up for selection on the sub-continent; so how can batting him at eight seem like a good option?
Glenn Maxwell of Victoria bats during day four of the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Victoria at the WACA on October 21, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
In regards to this selection thought process that Australia was apparently considering, have a look at the way India has gone in Test cricket in recent times. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant bats at five or six, ‘all-rounder’ Ravindra Jadeja bats at seven, and then they pick four fast bowlers.
At home on their own pitches, they will play Ravichandran Ashwin at eight, and probably another specialist spinner as well, perhaps Axar Patel; and then two pace bowlers. India has effectively pushed a batsman out and trusted those chosen to score enough runs, while giving the team plenty of bowling options.
Australia was looking to go in the opposite direction, to stack their batting and hope the part-time bowlers helped out the couple of specialists chosen. Even if Maxwell had played, it would not have helped Australia much in that second innings with the bat – and Sri Lanka might have scored even more than the 554 runs they piled on in the first innings.
I’m not suggesting Australia should necessarily go down the route India is taking, but I am suggesting that India’s strategy shows a lot more promise than what Australia was considering.
From my point of view, hopefully the Glenn Maxwell option should now be immediately filed in the ‘not to be considered again’ file when we start to think about that upcoming India series – as a number eight, at least.
Shire
Roar Rookie
Just being cheeky, mate. I also said "Indian", not "subcontinental".
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Warner has scored centuries on the subcontinent. But he has struggled overall. In any event, IMO it's not so productive to focus on "a century" as being the definition of the quality of a batsman. What's the material difference between 75, 100 and 125? Does it really matter? Prefer to look at the body of work over a longer period of time.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
The discussion was whether Maxwell is a Test quality batsman. It wasn't about a comparison of Maxwell v Head in the subcontinent. Do Head's failures automatically elevate Maxwell to Test-quality in comparison? Not sure it's a race to the bottom.
U
Roar Rookie
Show me Travis Head’s overseas efforts in comparison. How many other Aussies have gotten centuries in India in the last ten years?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I think Maxwell scoring a 100 in India does count for something, but I'm not convinced he is a lock as a Test batsman on the subcontinent given overall returns. That said, with the available squad for this SL tour, I would have played Maxwell ahead of Starc for the 2nd Test, *IF*, the 2nd Test pitch played the same as the 1st Test pitch, which surprisingly it didn't, by a long way. In retrospect, Starc over Maxwell was the right choice IMO, though would have gone Maxwell prior to the final pitch inspection.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
hey rowdy , head of course can knock up big runs in Australia but if they should declare now players like head need a stint in Australia A in India before first team selection in India . They may have to even watch him score two centuries or more this summer but the wickets in India and Sri Lanka may well as be like going from grass to clay in tennis , it’s a different ball game where the wickets are raging turners for certain players and the selectors need to know it’s not about not being allegiant it’s about being honest with players skillsets and form on particular foreign wickets , well really spinning ones
Clear as mud
Guest
Champ should be a swear word
Clear as mud
Guest
Mmm that is a bit Trappist in that you in fur. His Bangladesh second test knocks were both very good, as was his lone hand top score in the debacle chase in the last Indian match. Everything before that doesn’t count, played in so many positions and made up roles it was the Karma unsuitya The 600 runs SR 90 he would have scored against england that summer / that has to count for something, surely?
Mitcher
Guest
Don’t you think it would be more productive to start you comments with something less patronising and asinine as ‘Umm’.
Mitcher
Guest
Rich.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Maxwell House?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Head allows to many considerations to cloud his judgement on facing spin bowling especially on a spinning pitch. He needs to clearly assess the length. He either needs to meet the ball at the bounce and play for the straight drive or play late for the pull or cut. Flight and drop undo at least as many people as the spin.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Matt intersting points and mist seem well spotted and valid. I can’t help but think it’s what could have been with Maxwell and thats he’s unique talent that wasn’t well managed by cricket Australia let alone himself . 35 is tricky . perhaps though he can come in to play in India although Jeff rightly points out Mitchell marsh could be the right pick there . Moreover against Sri Lanka A Pierson and phillipe had some very impressive batting innings . There are a few options for heads position in India . I expect him and to a lesser extent warner to get runs in Australia which may take it all back to square one with the same selections and same conversations during the India series. If you were looking at agar v Maxwell it’s a different situation . In India I sometimes scratch my head over taking a risk to select someone like zampa for spin but gets hard with Lyon there . they can both bowl alot of overs containing one end and zampa knows the indian team and pitches inside out . The same old white to red ball debate comes in there though
matth
Roar Guru
If Agar had been fit Maxwell wouldn’t have been in the conversation. Agar has the batting pedigree to allow us to set up in a similar way to India. For Jadeja and Ashwin we would have Green and Agar, allowing us to pick 5 bowlers. The only reason Maxwell was considered at 8 was to be Agar. As for whether he should take Head’s spot, unfortunately he’s around 35 now with little red ball cricket so is a risk. The question is whether Head can improve with more exposure or whether there is someone else that provides a better option. I don’t know the answer to that.
josh
Roar Rookie
Thanks champ.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
For sure. Thursday afternoon or Friday morning are free at this stage. I have a pending transaction from e/s in that time I need to available for if it eventuates, but not confirmed as of yet.
Matthew Andrews
Guest
He’s played 14 test innings on sub continent wickets, he’s passed 50 once.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Head's batting form is pretty ordinary. If the old Maxi is solid he's an excellent chance of getting another India summer.
Matt Andrews
Guest
Talent yes, but what has he done to earn the spot? You can’t just pick on talent, you pick it on performance
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Jeff I am in Perth next week. Got time for a drink?