.png)
11 months ago
262
Glenn Maxwell's desperate attempts to play Test cricket one last time are in vain, former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting has said, adding that the all-rounder 'does not deserve' a recall.
The World Cup hero has been pigeon-holed as a limited overs specialist, but has played seven Tests between 2007 and 2017 - including a Test century in India.
Maxwell was in the Aussie squad to tour Sri Lanka in 2022 but did not get to play, stating then he has a burning desire to play Test cricket again - most likely when Australia tours Sri Lanka again in January 2005.
'Having that taste of just being in the Test squad [against Sri Lanka in 2022] was so exciting and reinvigorated and reminded myself of where I want to be,' he said at the time.
'It's something that I've made no secret about, that I really want to play Test cricket again.'
Maxwell has played seven Test matches, but all of them have been overseas including a Test century in India
Maxwell is one of Australia's best limited overs cricket players which has limited his chance of playing Shield cricket
Ponting, right, doesn't believe that Maxwell deserves to pay Test cricket because of his lack of runs at Sheffield Shield level
One of Maxwell's great regrets has been not getting to play a Test match at home in Australia, but remains hopeful an opportunity could present itself this summer.
'I'm quite understanding the circumstances of the current side. They're playing some really good cricket, they're World Test champions,' Maxwell told SEN.
'There are not a lot of spots up for grabs as far as Tests at home, but I know that when it does come to a subcontinent tour I can be a real viable option to hopefully fill a role in that side.
'So, I'll keep trying to plug away and hopefully get an opportunity at that stage.
'But yeah, it would have been nice to play one at home, it's where I played all my First-Class cricket and it felt like I toiled away for a few years there.
'It's something that I wish I would have been able to do. But circumstances and timing I probably was more preferred in the white-ball area.'
However Ponting has poured cold water on that possibility, saying the all-rounder has not played enough Sheffield Shield cricket to warrant selection.
'No one deserves a chance unless you've got a truckload of first-class runs behind you,' Ponting told Channel 7.
'He [Maxwell] doesn't deserve it. But if he gets a chance to go back and make some first-class runs then he can force his way back in.'
Maxwell has only played just a single Shield match since October in 2019.
However Greg Blewett, a former teammate of Ponting's, disagreed with his assessment and said that Maxwell did deserve another chance at Test level.
'It's not his fault that he hasn't played first-class cricket,' Blewett said.
'He's good enough to be batting in the middle order, especially on a subcontinent tour.'
English (US)