The Big Show ready for red ball
‘Turn games single-handedly’: Maxwell’s Test dream alive with Aussie coach a long-time backer
www.foxsports.com.au
Glenn Maxwell’s chance at a long-awaited return to Test cricket is set to arrive, with the Victorian big-hitter to be named in Australia’s squad to tour Sri Lanka.
Nine reports Maxwell, who missed the tour of Pakistan due to his wedding, will be part of the squad when it is named on Friday.
It will be the Australian men’s team’s first visit to Sri Lanka in six years, with two Tests in Galle capping off a multi-format series, beginning with three T20s and five ODIs from June 7. The Tests will begin on June 29 and July 8 respectively.
With a large squad to be selected to cover all three formats, Maxwell - well-known for his performances in the shorter forms of the game - could be kept for the Tests if he plays well across June.
New Australian coach Andrew McDonald was the coach of Victoria when Maxwell played his most recent Test cricket, recording a century against India in Ranchi before being dropped ahead of that summer’s Ashes.
McDonald showed strong support for Maxwell as a Test cricketer, telling RSN radio in 2017: “I think he can be a genuine No.6 and on flat wickets in Australia he could turn games single-handedly.
“One thing I think about, with Glenn Maxwell, is we haven’t seen a lot of him in red-ball cricket, but he’s a pure technician when it comes to the red ball. He can hold down six for Australia.
“You’ve got to let him understand the scenarios in certain games and how they’re unfolding, but I think he’s getting better at that. Sometimes you’ve got to let him fly and see what he can do. It’s really exciting the way he can turn games. In red-ball cricket he’s probably got the map.”
Maxwell, who played all seven of his career Tests in Asia, said this past summer he remains keen to play the longer format.
“It’s definitely realistic (to regain a spot),” Maxwell said in December.
“I think I am probably playing as well as ever have at the moment.
“I feel really good about my game. I have been able to work on different techniques for different formats, which has really helped going forward.
“I have been in constant contact with selectors and they have been really clear about if opportunities do pop up then I am ready for red ball.”
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