More runs to come for Glenn Maxwell as he seeks Test recall
TEST discard Glenn Maxwell’s Sheffield Shield double-century was just the start of his return to the baggy green according to stand-in Victorian captain Aaron Finch.
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TEST discard Glenn Maxwell’s Sheffield Shield double-century was just the start of his return to the top according to stand-in Victorian captain Aaron Finch.
Maxwell, dumped from the Test team and replaced by veteran Shaun Marsh before the opening Ashes encounter last week, blasted his highest score with an imperious 278 for the Vics against NSW last weekend.
It was the highest score by any Australian batsman for the past five years and elevated Maxwell back into Test contention as the pressure remains on plenty of national batsmen going in to the second Test in Adelaide, starting Saturday.
Only three Australian batsmen have made Test centuries since the close of the last Australian summer, and Maxwell, who scored 104 against India in March, is one of them.
Skipper Steve Smith plundered three in India, then another one in Brisbane, and opener Dave Warner blasted two tons in back-to-back Tests in Bangladesh.
Finch, standing in for Victorian captain Peter Handscomb, whose own Test position could come under scrutiny without a big score soon, said Maxwell had shown the traits necessary to get back under the baggy green.
“Maxy played an outstanding innings and everyone is very happy for him after the disappointment of missing the Test squad. He showed how good a player he is and the application he can show when it’s his day,” Finch said.
“He’s a wonderful player ... we have seen some great innings from him in the past, under some difficult circumstances.
“He was determined to do well and it’s a pretty high benchmark to set for yourself but I’m sure he’ll keep getting better and better.”
Maxwell, who bats at three for the Bushrangers, will get his final chance to impress before the Sheffield Shield season breaks for the Big Bash season when Victoria plays Western Australia at the MCG from Sunday.
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