Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who is on the verge of playing in Tests for the first time in nearly five years, is relying on his ability to deal with good spin bowling in tough conditions in Sri Lanka ahead of the first match of the series in Galle on Wednesday.
Maxwell last played a Test match against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2017, the same year he scored his only Test century against India Was included in the squad in Ranchi and in Johannesburg in 2018 amid the ball-tampering saga. With left-handed batsman Travis Head recovering from a hamstring injury, Maxwell was handed a return to the Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka. ,
“I think I bring a lot of experience in these kinds of conditions and have been able to tackle bowling good spin in tough conditions. It’s something I pride myself on, having a sharp foot and in tough conditions. I am able to find a way out in the face of adversity. Looking back at 2017, being able to score a Test century in India is something I am very proud of and being one of the few to have done so in the last decade, I am very proud of it. Which puts me in a good position for that. That too.”
“My plan is probably not going to change completely, maybe just a little bit more time consuming, to be able to spend more time on the wicket, without any run-rate pressure and I am definitely looking forward for a long time. For that opportunity to bat,” Maxwell was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo after the end of the ODI series.
The surprise return to the Test squad also means that Maxwell may get a new baggy green as his core has been damaged and was not in his kit bag before leaving for Sri Lanka. “I didn’t want to be arrogant and it turns out I’m glad I didn’t bring it because it completely disintegrated. So I’ll have to take a new one for this test tour. I’ll look like the first gamer out there.” “
“My last Test was a win in Bangladesh and (Cap) is full of all kinds of different things. It lives in the little bag we got. I took it out last year and saw it and it was deteriorating, thought that was not a good sign. My wife took it out yesterday and said ‘I don’t think I can bring it’, it sounded awful so think when I get home I’ll see if I can fix it but it’s not great at the moment is feeling. ,
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