Australia Test series against Pakistan: Glenn Maxwell ‘disappointed’ after being overlooked
THE large scale outrage which followed Glenn Maxwell’s omission from the national Test squad was matched by the high level of irony around what the Victorian was doing when he found out.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATE: THE large scale outrage which followed Glenn Maxwell’s omission from the national Test squad was matched by the high level of irony around what the Victorian was doing when he found out.
‘METHOD TO MADNESS’: Langer outlines Maxwell decision
LANGER FAITH: Siddle thankful Test dream still alive
BAD TIMING: The biggest mistake made by Aussie selectors
Maxwell is one of the biggest names in Australian cricket in a world minus Steve Smith and David Warner and spent two days in Sydney filming various promotions, as per his Cricket Australia contract, for the upcoming summer which will feature him and not the other two.
He was wearing the Test whites and baggy green cap most believed he would be packing for the UAE this weekend when national selection chairman Trevor Hohns called him and told Maxwell he needed to make more runs.
Maxwell, who knows dumpings having been dropped from the one-day side at the start of last summer, also knows how to react publicly and so in his best way bowed to the request of Hohns and coach Justin Langer by agreeing to accept their verdict.
“I’m disapopionted. There’s nothing you can do about it now,” Maxwell told SEN.
“I feel like I have some really good cricket years ahead of me. I’m hoping this year is another year I can prove people wrong.
Langer called Maxwell on Tuesday evening, as he was digesting the fact little known Queenslander Marnus Labuschagne had been picked ahead of him despite making a pair of ducks for Australia A in India, and endured the coach’s pep talk.
On Wednesday, after Langer said Maxwell had “talent to burn” but was also a “frustrating cricketer” who only had 17 hundreds in 10 years as a professional cricketer, the 30-year-old vowed to put his head down and make the runs required.
He had to, publicly, because Hohns is not one who takes well to having his selections questioned by affected players. Hohns once slapped down Cameron White, the former national T20 captain, also a Test and one-day player for his country, after he said selection policies didn’t make sense.
White ummed and aahed on Wednesday before biting his lip when asked if he was concerned the disconnect between players and selectors was continuing, despite the “new era” under Langer.
“Knowing what everyone knows and the situation with him not playing in the Australia A team was a little confusing no doubt for him,” White said.
“Whether it’s Glenn or any player, that’s all you can do, is make runs or take wickets, and selection is an opinion based thing.
“If people think you are the right person at the right time you get a go, if not you don’t. It doesn’t really matter what the reasons are.”
Privately though Maxwell remains confused, confusion not helped by the support he drew from plenty of cricketing luminaries including former national captains Ricky Ponting and Allan Border.
Ponting said he would be “ropeable” if he was Maxwell, given he missed the opportunity to press his claims after being told he wasn’t needed for Australia A. Maxwell knocked back county cricket offers in England to be available for that tour too.
Border told Fox Sports it was a “tough one to fathom”.
Even former Australian coach Darren Lehmann, thought by some to have been very anti-Maxwell while in charge, called it a “surprise” that he missed out.
So eyes now turn to Riverway Stadium in Townsville, for Victoria’s opening one-day game on Sunday, for Maxwell to give the only repsonse that matters.
Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 3 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply.
Originally published as Australia Test series against Pakistan: Glenn Maxwell ‘disappointed’ after being overlooked