All-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been added to Australia's squad for the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle which begins on June 29.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been added to Australia's squad for the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, which begins on June 29. The 33-year-old received the call-up after middle-order batter Travis Head suffered from a minor hamstring strain.
Maxwell, who made his Test debut in 2013, has played 7 Tests in which the right-hander has scored 339 runs and taken eight wickets with his off-spin. He last appeared in a Test match in 2017. All seven of the Australian's Tests have come on the subcontinent with a top score of 104 against India in Ranchi.
Along with Maxwell, Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis are the other options to take up Head's No.5 berth if the left-hander does not regain fitness in time.
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JUST IN: Glenn Maxwell has been added to Australia's Test squad in Sri Lanka https://t.co/a9DS0sNj8V
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)Before the tour, national George Bailey kept the door open for Maxwell's return. He has been in good touch during the ODIs with a match-winning unbeaten 80 in the opening game, followed by 30 and 33.
"We know Glenn has had some red-ball success in these types of conditions and we're looking forward to him getting back and playing a good block of cricket through the T20s and one-day cricket," Bailey said. "If he shoots the lights out or anyone else does particularly well, there's always going to be opportunities."
Earlier in the trip, Maxwell said he understood why he was not part of the Test squad but had not given up hope of getting another chance.
"A guy that hasn't played any first-class cricket would be a random pick," he told cricket.com.au. "I know it's specific to my skill set and the way I play slow bowling, especially in these conditions, that might have been something to sway them."
"But I think the way they've shown faith in their current squad is brilliant. It's nice that the door's not closed but I also thought it was nice that they showed faith in that squad."
Maxwell fans took to Twitter to express their joy over the prospect of the all-rounder playing for Australia after five years. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
JUST IN: has been added to the Australian Test squad for the two-Test series vs Sri Lanka.
Excitement levels to see Maxi in whites. 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/GoTozoMmyQ
King is back👑 pic.twitter.com/F7BxiSqZuk
— Devendra Singh Rathod (@DevendrRathod9)Glenn Maxwell is back in Test
Cricket ♥️. pic.twitter.com/lGDdYlpnUe
Glenn Maxwell will be back in Baggy Green as he replaces injured Travis Head!
Australia will play Test Series against Sri Lanka after conclusion of ODI series!
Maxwell last played Test in 2017! pic.twitter.com/NG4gnRL1yG
GLENN MAXWELL IN THE TEST SQUAD OH MY GOD ITS HAPPENING
— Aleena (@lenadelkhan)Glenn Maxwell in TEST SQUAD. Yup, you read that RIGHT. 🤐
— Chief 🏏 (@SanjeewaKUK)Glenn Maxwell back in Australia’s Test squad. This series in Sri Lanka just got that bit more interesting. His hundred in Ranchi 2017 is one of the best Test innings in India I’ve seen by an Australian whose name is not Steve Smith.
— Andrew Wu (@wutube)Glenn Maxwell returns in test cricket - He has been added in the Australia's Test Squad test series against Sri Lanka. He performed Incredibly well in white ball cricket in last couple of years and now got rewards and he is in Australia's test team.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)Aussies when Glenn Maxwell gets called back up to the Test squad. pic.twitter.com/IceoDJt7hj
— The Boundary Rider (@boundary__rider)Thank you 😍😍😍
Happy for you https://t.co/qDs0i37VdT pic.twitter.com/VoYFT15HZT
Interesting, Glenn Maxwell has been added to the test squad against Sri Lanka. Last time he played a test match in Sept 2017, almost 5 years back.
— Pushp (@cricorcese)glenn maxwell in test squad pic.twitter.com/WaJUz5yAIY
— lesbians for matt murdock (@heathledgcrs)I'm so happy today as is back in the mix. ❤️ Hope he makes the XI at Galle, 1st Test.
📷 - pic.twitter.com/YRWVoVExsj