Glenn Maxwell confident of a Test recall against Pakistan

Maxwell is also eyeing a spot in the Australian squad for Ashes 2019.

Glenn Maxwell is eyeing a Test comeback against Pakistan. (AFP)

Glenn Maxwell reached a low point in his international career for Australia last year when he was asked to train harder and focus on his game to improve his overall game by then Australian skipper Steve Smith.  

Maxwell was left out of both four-day and one-day squads when they were named in May, which raised questions over whether he will feature in Justin Langer’s future Test plans.

Now Maxwell has his sights set on Australia's upcoming Test series against Pakistan in the UAE. Also, he is eyeing this tour to cement his place in the Australian Test side. 

“I’ve been to India 16 or 17 times now so it’s not a place where they (selectors) need to see me play. They’ve seen me play over there enough,” Maxwell toldSEN’s Whateley.

“Obviously [I’ve] had a bit of success over there in the Test series in India last year, so it’s not something that’s hugely foreign to me. Hopefully, that holds me in good stead when it comes time for selection for the Dubai trip.”

Maxwell said he “hasn’t been given any indication” that he will be included in the squad to tour the UAE, but insisted discussions with selectors surrounding his Australia A omission had been positive.

“There has been a lot of positive reinforcement that I didn’t need to go on that Aussie A tour,” he said. “I felt confident walking away that they’ve given me an opportunity to prepare for that Test tour [against Pakistan], whether or not I’m picked on it, that’s another outcome.”

“This is going to be a big summer potentially for myself to hopefully solidify myself in all three formats. So I think to have this break before what could potentially be a really big year for me, I think is really pivotal,” Maxwell said.

“It gives me a great opportunity to work on my game, get myself up to a level of player that I think I can reach by the end of this season, and hopefully be on that Ashes trip after the World Cup next year.”

Australia last played the five ball format against South Africa earlier this year in March. Maxwell was not a part of the Australian squad for the Test series which went onto become one of the most controversial one in recent ones. 

As a result, Steve Smith and David Warner was banned from the game for 12 months by ICC along with Cameron Bancroft being handed a nine-month ban. The image of Australian cricket was tarnished badly at the world stage, from which they are still trying to recover. That they lost the Test series against South Africa added more insult to injury. 

(Inputs from FoxSports) 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 25 Jul, 2018

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