Glenn Maxwell disappointed but not broken by Test snub after more Big Bash brilliance

It wasn’t the Test snub that drove Glenn Maxwell to one of the most unforgettable Big Bash innings ever even though he desperately wanted to tour Sri Lanka.

Glenn Maxwell has backed the Australian selectors’ decision to leave him out of the squad bound for Sri Lanka despite “desperately” seeking a Test return.

After a second, and better, matchwinning BBL effort on Sunday night, Maxwell, 36, was adamant being overlooked for what could have been a final chance to wear his baggy green again hadn’t altered his future.

In two Big Bash games since missing out, Maxwell has dragged the Melbourne Stars to victory, first with an unbeaten 58 against the Sydney Sixers, then his one-man effort of 90 off 52 balls to secure his team a derby win over the Renegades.

All coming after his stated desire to add to his seven Tests was denied after injury cruelled his attempts to play Sheffield Shield cricket before Christmas.

Maxwell was overlooked in place of other all-rounders, including first-time squad member Cooper Connolly.

But Maxwell said he could “completely understand their (selectors) reasoning” for leaving him out of the squad.

“It’s just selection, there is always going to be people I suppose wanting to be there,” Maxwell said.

122 METRES!

That is monstrous from Glenn Maxwell 🤯 #BBL14pic.twitter.com/9tc5lJKZtx

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2025

“I made no secret that I desperately wanted to be on that tour but I can completely understand their reasoning.

“They’re already in the World Test Championship, they’ve obviously got a couple of Tests in Sri Lanka, there’s going to be some subcontinent tours over the next few years, so they get to look at a few new guys in those conditions.

“What an experience for those guys to go over there, (like) Cooper Connolly in his first Test tour.

“I certainly would’ve made the same decision as they have.”

Maxwell, after taking the Melbourne Stars from 7-75 to 165 with a dazzling innings against the Melbourne Renegades, said his Test snub hadn’t altered his future.

“I am not making any future plans right now, I’m looking forward to a week off and then Sunday (the Stars’ last home and away game),” he said.

Just a regular Glenn Maxwell partnership 😅🔥 pic.twitter.com/dClrXEPvEI

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 12, 2025

Maxwell’s inspiring innings against the Renegades, which included making 79 runs in an 81-run partnership with Usama Mir, who didn’t score, rescuing his team from 7-75, propelled the Stars from last to fourth on the BBL ladder.

While he launched 10 sixes, Maxwell modestly downplayed how well he hit the ball on Sunday night.

“Everything wasn’t coming off, I think I was probably getting every second or third,” he said.

“With the way the wicket was playing, I was just trying to put them under enough pressure where I was getting either an overpitched delivery or a little bit wider where I could throw my hands or get some sort of leverage on.

“It still felt like I played and missed a fair bit, still felt like I missed the middle of the bat quite a bit and had a few mistimed shanks into the leg side.

“I think knowing how simple my game plan was, stay on strike as long as I could, I just suppose I waited for one I could middle and hopefully connect.”

The Stars don’t play another BBL match until next Sunday when they host the Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG.

Originally published as Glenn Maxwell disappointed but not broken by Test snub after more Big Bash brilliance