Roar Rookie
Joined December 2015
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Walking out to bat today at the MCG, Maxwell had something to prove. Maxwell's talent is unquestioned, his grit constantly. With bat in hand,…
Peter Nevill's run in the Australian team has been tidy, unassuming and eminently forgettable. Fortunately for Nevill, this means no one has noticed that…
Why is a batsman who has scored 182 and played a match-winning knock in his last two Test innings fighting to keep his place…
I think Grit comes in different forms. The Waugh, Rogers, Clarke innings are all fine examples. I’d say that Maxwell, displayed a different kind in being dropped from the team last week and coming back and performing in difficult conditions. He did crack after twelve overs, but we all need a little luck. It took Steve Waugh a while to stop hooking after all. The important part was that he settled back in and ground it out.
I’m not saying Maxwell should be into the test team yet. But he has given himself a chance to prove over the Shield summer that he should be.
Maxwell: True grit at the crease
You raise a good point, re continuity. After that terrible reverse sweep in the UAE against Pakistan, because the World Cup followed it, he never really got the chance to redeem himself playing Shield.
On Maxwell’s first class figures are always better than you expect. He hit a ridiculous hundred a couple of years ago, against New South Wales out of 187, he hit 127 not out. He doesn’t always get the credit for his Shield body of work.
With regards to the Test team though, I’d agree that Maxwell would likely bat better than Marsh. But I think Maxwell really needs to earn it through performance. I think that elevation to the Test team has come somewhat too easily in the past and that translates to his performances. With a strong summer, book him tickets to India.
Maxwell: True grit at the crease
Hi Rellum, I agree Re: Rod Marsh. There was a period after Marsh in the 80s but before Healy where there were a few keepers, Zoehrer and Dyer, where their averages were around 20.
As for Nevill, I take your point that glovework is the first priority but Nevill cannot just rest on that. Runs are part of the job description. It will be interesting to see if the runs don’t come what will happen to the glovework. After all confidence in cricket flows through all disciplines.
Peter Nevill: Slow and unsteady wins the race
Hi Captain, Thanks for your comment. Nevill first class figures are interesting. In 2015, he was picked for the Australian team with a healthy first class average in the 40s. However since being exposed to better quality bowling in test cricket that has fallen down to 37. Now Nevill trails Wade (average 39.70). Interesting prediction with the 33 run average for the Summer. To meet your prediction Nevill would roughly have to double his 376 test runs. It’s a big ask. Time will tell if he can do it.
Peter Nevill: Slow and unsteady wins the race
Agreed that Marsh not performing is raising the pressure as well. I’m not convinced that sending Nevill up the order is the answer. The top five of Marsh, Warner, Usman, Smith, Voges should settle in for the summer. Six is an option, but he needs to turn over the strike more and not get bogged down. It’s going to be challenge for him.
Peter Nevill: Slow and unsteady wins the race
I take your comment that he is better suited to the middle order, but I think Khawaja opening with Warner is a suitable option.
As to the first class figures he has been in sustained good form over the last three seasons averaging around 50 with 10 centuries. The overall average is so low because prior to 2006-07 he averaged around 30. He is still paying the price for the shaky start to his career. However, since 2007-08 Marsh has been a more productive batsman (43.83), by average, than both Khawaja (41.20) and Burns (40.54).
The myth of Marsh
This selection panel has shown that it is very much ‘what have you done for us lately?’. For instance in the West Indies Voges came into the side as an injury replacement for Rogers who was suffering a concussion. Voges made a hundred on debut against the West Indies and when the first Ashes side was picked Marsh made way for a fit Rogers. Marsh, like Burns, had done nothing wrong (making a 99 and a couple of 50s in his previous starts) but was left out. It is basically the same situation that we find ourselves in now.
The myth of Marsh
Thanks Bearfax. Maxwell offers a lot, hopefully he bangs down the selectors door.
Maxwell: True grit at the crease