Should Glenn Maxwell play Test cricket again?
That was the question posed by SEN host Tom Morris after Maxwell again stole the headlines with a match-winning T20 century against India in Guwahati.
Maxwell’s century came off just 48 balls and it follows his outstanding ODI World Cup campaign where he broke records and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
The Victorian’s exploits in India have had many asking if he has deserved more of a go for his nation in the long format, including Morris.
Morris laid out Australia’s future tours program and highlighted one particular away series that could be circled on Maxwell’s calendar for a red ball return.
“I pose one simple question with two possible answers,” Morris said on SEN Sportsday.
“Should Glenn Maxwell play Test cricket again? Yes, or no?
“If you're unsure, let me paint you a scheduling picture as mapped out by the ICC's future tours schedule beyond this summer.
“Australia's next test series is a Border-Gavaskar Trophy beginning in December 2024. That's no test cricket for about 10 months next year.
“Then the Australians tour Sri Lanka for two Tests in February 2025. That's 14 months away.
“Maxwell will be 36 by then, and may not have worn the baggy green for eight years.
“In June of the same year in 2025, the World Test Championship final will again be held at Lord’s followed by two Tests in the West Indies.
“By the time the 2025/26 Ashes roll around, Maxwell will be 37.
“Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is surely his best opportunity via a horses for courses approach.”
While the 35-year-old has only played seven Tests - all away from home - and hasn’t worn the baggy green since 2017, he came close to selection in 2022 in Sri Lanka.
While that may bode well for a future squad selection on another subcontinent tour, Morris asked if he should be given a maiden opportunity in a Test on home soil.
“He wasn't far off last year in Sri Lanka,” Morris said.
“As that squad selection proved, no longer does the Australian selection panel maintain shield runs are necessary for Test hopefuls.
“But isn't Maxwell enough of an X-factor to be given a run at home?
“His seven Tests today which have yielded one ton and a batting average of 26 have all come away from home.
“How good would it be to see Maxwell on these shores against the red ball? Does Maxwell deserve another crack at it? Or has that horse bolted?”
In response, former Victorian spinner Bryce McGain couldn’t be more supportive of Maxwell making a Test return.
McGain believes Maxwell’s game translates to Test cricket and blamed ODI scheduling as to why he hasn’t had more opportunities to prove himself in the Sheffield Shield.
“It's a very, very good case you present because I think absolutely he should be playing red-ball cricket for Australia,” McGain said.
“The x-factor is beyond that. It’s in all aspects of the game and it translates really well to the red ball obviously, and Test match cricket.
“The 100 he scored in India was absolutely outstanding, he’s just been a victim of scheduling and dinky little One Day grouping games for no reason.
“We’ve forgotten about every single series of them, they just don’t matter. We know the World Cup, we know the value of that tournament playing One Day cricket, but he's been a victim of this what ball scheduling.
“I think he needs every opportunity. He would be outstanding as the all-rounder for Australia.”
McGain doesn’t only think Maxwell should be a subcontinental option either, pushing for the Victorian to earn a call-up when other nations tour Australian shores.
“I think any conditions because if you’re the opposition, he's the last man that you'll want to come in,” McGain said.
“He can be absolutely dynamic and take the game away.
“I think he is exactly what we need.”
Maxwell averages 26.07 with the bat from his seven Tests. He has also taken eight wickets at an average of 42.62.