Glenn Maxwell is set to reprise his role as a subcontinental Test specialist following a star showing in Australia’s one-day series with England report, according to ninemsn website from Sydney.
Australia will on Monday name a 15-man squad for next month’s two-Test series in Bangladesh, with all-rounder Maxwell favoured to gain selection in what is expected to be one of the least experienced squads in nearly four decades. All three of the 26-year-old Tests have come on the subcontinent, with two against India and one against Pakistan in the UAE, where his useful off-spin makes him a valuable prospect in the middle order.
Maxwell is determined to prove he is more than just a limited overs superstar and has gone to great lengths to try to prove it - including playing second XI fixtures with Yorkshire in order to get more red-ball cricket under his belt. It was a drop in standard for what Maxwell, an Indian Premier League million-dollar man, is used to - but one he knew he had to do. “If you look at the guys that were playing Ashes they were playing non-stop,” he said.
“They had the tour games in between and they’re getting their match practice.“I needed to be doing the same thing if I was going to be playing any upcoming tours this summer, hopefully Bangladesh, hopefully the Aussie summer. “I need to be playing first-class cricket if I want to be picked in those kind of tournaments and tours.” Maxwell impressive first class record, where he averages 40.42, could see him bat at No.6 and allow Australia to play a second all-rounder, likely Mitch Marsh.
But there are many other question marks which remain around Australia’s squad, which has been hit by the retirements of Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris since the start of the Ashes. With David Warner (thumb) also ruled out of the series, Australia will be forced to field a new opening partnership - likely to be recalled duo Joe Burns and Shaun Marsh.
Burns has opened during the ODI series and this week was given praise by coach Darren Lehmann for his performances. Warner’s absence should also open a squad spot for youngster Cameron Bancroft, although the West Australian is down in the pecking order for the opening Test in Chittagong on October 9.
In his debut series as skipper Steve Smith could move away from the No.3 position, as another career is set to be revived with Usman Khawaja favoured to slot in at first drop.