Australia squad for Pakistan Tests: Darren Lehmann stunned by Glenn Maxwell snub as Justin Langer explains omission
DARREN Lehmann can’t believe Glenn Maxwell has been overlooked for Australia two-Test tour of Pakistan as new coach Justin Langer reveals what the Victorian needs to do to get back into the running.
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AUSTRALIA coach Justin Langer has dared Glenn Maxwell to hit more centuries as Darren Lehmann revealed his shock at the Victorian’s omission from Australia’s 15-man squad for the two Pakistan Tests in October.
Speaking on Radio SEN to host Gerard Whateley, Langer said while selectors had not lost faith in the 29-year-old all-rounder, he needed to make some big scores to get back into the frame.
“I sensed (Maxwell’s omission) would be a shock. If you go below the surface, it’s probably not as big a shock as people think. There’s a method to our madness,” he said.
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“He needs to score more 100s. It’s almost as simple as that. A lot’s happened since last summer and we need more 100s from him. We haven’t lost faith in him at all.
“My message to Maxy, as is to all Australian cricketers, we need you to score runs. It wasn’t too long ago you needed to score an enormous amount of runs to get into the Australian cricket team.
“If Maxy’s playing well and making runs, he’s going to be selected.
Lehmann expressed concern Maxwell was never given the chance to push his case after not being selected for the just-completed Australia A tour of India.
“At least give him an opportunity in the Australia A side to see what he can do before they announce the Test squad,” he said.
“He played very well in India a couple of years ago and got his first Test hundred.”
But Lehmann echoed Langer’s words that more domestic hundreds from Maxwell’s willow would go a long way to earning a Test recall.
“For Glenn, he’s now got to get runs in the JLT (domestic one-day cup) and the Sheffield Shield to start with,” he said.
Originally published as Australia squad for Pakistan Tests: Darren Lehmann stunned by Glenn Maxwell snub as Justin Langer explains omission