David Warner launches a stunning attack on Glenn Maxwell – as retired star says his former teammate ‘doesn’t deserve’ to make one of his cricketing dreams come true
- Australia will play two Test series at the end of January
- Maxwell is on a comeback after his injury
Australian cricket great David Warner has launched a stunning attack on former teammate Glenn Maxwell, declaring the all-rounder ‘doesn’t deserve’ to be in the squad mix ahead of the Sri Lanka tour at the end of January.
Pat Cummins’ men will play two Tests on the subcontinent – but Warner pointed to Maxwell’s lack of red-ball cricket with Victoria at Sheffield Shield level as the reason why selectors should look elsewhere.
Maxwell, 36, has played seven Tests for Australia, with a highest score of 104.
‘The Big Show’ was expected to play one recent Shield match for Victoria – as well as for the Prime Minister’s XI against India – but was forced to withdraw from both matches due to a hamstring injury.
It’s why Warner, a three-time World Cup-winning teammate of Maxwell’s, is adamant he hasn’t done enough in the longer format to guarantee a spot on the plane.
“If you don’t get picked for your Shield team, why do you deserve it? You really have to want it to want to play four-day cricket,” Warner said News Corp.
David Warner has launched a stunning attack on former teammate Glenn Maxwell, declaring that the all-rounder ‘doesn’t deserve’ to be in the mix for the Sri Lanka tour at the end of January
Warner pointed to Maxwell’s lack of red-ball cricket with Victoria at Sheffield Shield level as the reason why selectors should look elsewhere (Maxwell is pictured playing at Test level against Bangladesh in 2017)
Maxwell (pictured left, after winning the 2023 ODI World Cup) is also a key figure for Australia and the Melbourne Stars at T20 level
“Unless he puts his hand up, he’s playing all the club cricket stuff and stuff to want to play Test cricket.
“In my opinion, he doesn’t deserve that opportunity.”
Warner – now a commentator for Fox Cricket – also believes Adam Zampa should have been more proactive when it comes to Shield cricket chances at NSW, as he pushes for an opportunity like Maxwell in spin-friendly conditions.
Zampa, 32, is yet to play Test cricket for Australia.
And ahead of the third Test in Brisbane, Warner called for Australia’s top order to produce at the Gabba as they look to take a 2-1 series lead against India.
“I think the pressure is on the entire top, not just on ‘Uzzie’ [Khawaja]he said.
“Travis [Head] came out [in Adelaide] and hit a counter-blast and scored a brilliant hundred, and we know he’s capable of doing that.
‘But it’s everyone else who supports that.
“It’s not about one player in particular, it’s about the six highest scoring bulk runs and making sure you give the fast bowlers a rest.”