Sydney, Australia (BBN)-OFF-spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has pinned his poor start to the domestic season on his disappointment over Australia’s scrapped tour of Bangladesh.
Maxwell looked destined to add to his three Test caps in Bangladesh after being named in the squad before the series was scrapped at the last minute because of security concerns, reports the News.com.au.
“(The Bangladesh postponement) probably affected me more mentally than anything else,” Maxwell told Fairfax.
“I was pretty upset I was missing out on an opportunity to play for my country and really put a good step forward.
“After playing so well in the one-dayers in England I was really looking forward to taking that into the Tests, to have that series ripped away from me and the squad to change when we got back to Australia was pretty upsetting.
“It probably affected me too much, because it affected the way I played the game and the way I went about it. It didn’t reflect too well on myself ... and it showed in my results as well.
“Since the Shield stuff has started I’ve tried to put that all behind me ... almost start from the bottom rung and work my way back up.”
The Big Show made a misery 78 runs at 15.6 in the Matador Cup earlier this year and was suspended for one match after missing a compulsory training session.
Since then Maxwell has found form with the bat, scoring 98 against the Western Australia Warriors at the MCG last month and 62 against South Australia in the current Sheffield Shield round.
And having played all three of his Tests to date overseas, Maxwell knows he will need to continue making contributions with the bat in the Shield if he wants to prove himself as a Test option outside of Asia.
“I’m pretty understanding of where I sit in the Test rankings,” the 27-year-old said, referring to Australia’s preference for fast-bowling all-rounders.
“I’ve probably got to bowl some medium pace for a start, and probably spin the ball the other way to Nathan Lyon.
“I know if I come in and spin the ball the same way as Nathan Lyon it’s ... more likely I’ll be used to get through some handy overs, rather than be a key bowler.
“I’m understanding that I need to have a weight of runs and consistent wicket-taking, as a partnership- breaker type of bowler.”
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