Australian selectors have taken a bold step by dropping Glenn Maxwell for the upcoming ODI and T20 series. Scott Boland and Travis Head have also been left out from the side.
Maxwell had a disappointing tri series in West Indies and didn’t deliver apart from one game when he scored 46 not out.
While he has been omitted from the team on numerous occasions, this is the first time Maxwell has been dropped from the limited-overs squad altogether since his debut in 2012. The decision follows a run in which he has averaged 11.80 in six innings in Australia’s last 10 ODIs. Maxwell also had a disappointing IPL and is becoming a liability.
Australian chief selector Rod Marsh said that Maxwell had to be dropped. He was failing as a batsman and was not contributing to the side. . “We’ve asked Glenn to go away and focus on consistent performances for Victoria and Australia A to earn his way back into the Australian side.”
Australia’s A side are currently playing two unofficial Tests against South Africa A and they will be involved in a Tri-series also featuring India A in August.
Earlier this year, Maxwell denied he needed to go away and concentrate more on his batting, in the manner Steven Smith once did, in order to shore up his place in Australia’s plans and push for a Test berth. “I don’t think I can rest on just being a batsman,” Maxwell told AAP. “I know Steve Smith went that way when he lost his Test spot, not really bowling much at all. But I don’t think I can go that direction. I have to keep working on both parts of my game and make sure they’re good enough.”
This break could do wonders for ‘Big Show’. He can perform in domestic cricket for his state side Victoria and waltz straight back in to the team. Australia have recalled Shaun Marsh, who was on paternity leave and Moises Henriques as a straight swap with Maxwell.
Australia defeated WI in the recently concluded tri series and have most of their bases covered.
Aussies will play five ODIs and two T20s against the Lankans. Steven Smith has a tough task ahead after losing the first Test. The team is ranked No.1 in ODIs and are the reigning world champions.
ODI Squad:
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa