‘I haven’t given up’ Maxwell aims for Test cricket redemption after WC triumph

Australia’s dynamic all-rounder, Glenn Maxwell, remains unwavering in his determination to make a Test cricket comeback, undeterred by the overwhelming success he enjoyed in the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023.

Glenn Maxwell exceptional performance in recent times included a remarkable double century against Afghanistan and a scintillating T20I hundred in the ongoing bilateral series against India.

As he returns from T20I duties, Maxwell asserts that he hasn’t abandoned his aspirations for the longer format of the game, expressing realism about the challenges posed by his dominant white-ball cricket exploits.

“I haven’t given up on Tests,” Maxwell was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald upon his arrival here after being released from the T20I squad.

“I think I’ve just got to be realistic about the timings of the way I’ve been playing my white-ball cricket,” he added.

Glenn Maxwell: A Force to Reckon

Glenn Maxwell, who made his Test debut against India in 2013, has been primarily recognized as a white-ball specialist, with only seven Test matches to his name, the last of which was in 2017. Despite a modest Test record, boasting a batting average of 26.07 and eight wickets at 42.62, Maxwell remains hopeful for a Test cricket resurgence.

The upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan, commencing on December 14 in Perth, could provide the platform for Maxwell’s red-ball aspirations to materialize.

Reflecting on the peculiar trajectory of his career, Glenn Maxwell acknowledges the unique challenges posed by the scheduling dynamics. His involvement in white-ball cricket, particularly during World Cups, often sidelines his participation in Shield cricket. This has been a recurring theme over the past decade, hindering his opportunities to don the whites at the highest level.

“You play a World Cup and then you don’t play any Shield cricket, you play at the back end of summer in white ball and don’t play any Shield cricket, so it’s just the way it’s gone over the last 10 years of my career really.”

“The two runs in the final were pretty cool. I don’t think anything’s going to top that. Even though there were moments during the tournament individually, I think that final… Nothing’s going to top that,” he added.

Despite the undeniable allure of his World Cup heroics, including the memorable double century and a stellar T20I hundred, Maxwell emphasizes the distinct significance of Test cricket. He recounts the euphoria of the World Cup final, acknowledging it as a pinnacle moment but remains resolute in his desire for a Test match redemption.

Matthew Wade backs Maxwell

Australian skipper Matthew Wade, leading the team in the ongoing T20 series against India, backs Glenn Maxwell potential in the longest format. Wade attributes Maxwell’s state of exhaustion, post his Guwahati century, to the demands of 50-over cricket and a recent comeback from a substantial injury.

The captain expresses happiness for Maxwell’s landmark hundredth game and believes that the break will rejuvenate him, fostering an environment conducive to bringing out the best in the versatile all-rounder.

As speculation surrounds Maxwell’s inclusion in the Test squad against Pakistan, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await to witness whether the charismatic all-rounder can seamlessly transition his white-ball brilliance into the challenging arena of Test cricket, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.