Glenn Maxwell wants a Test cricket swansong like David Warner is enjoying. Former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting says he doesn’t deserve it
- Maxwell has played seven Tests
- Want to add to that number during the last subcontinent tour
- Ponting does not think he should be elected
Glenn Maxwell's desperate efforts to play Test cricket one last time are in vain, said former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, adding that the all-rounder 'does not deserve' a recall.
The World Cup hero was pigeonholed as a limited-overs specialist but played seven Tests between 2007 and 2017, including a Test Century in India.
Maxwell was part of the Australian squad that toured Sri Lanka in 2022 but was unable to play, and then stated that he has a burning desire to play Test cricket again – most likely when Australia tours Sri Lanka again in January 2005.
“Having the taste of just being in the Test squad (against Sri Lanka in 2022) was so exciting and reinvigorating and reminded myself of where I want to be,” he said at the time.
'It's something I've made no secret of, that I really want to play Test cricket again.'
Maxwell has played seven Test matches but all have been abroad, including a Test century in India
Maxwell is one of Australia's best limited-overs cricketers, limiting his opportunity to play Shield cricket
Ponting does not believe Maxwell deserves to pay Test cricket due to his lack of runs at Sheffield Shield level
One of Maxwell's biggest regrets is not being able to play a Test match at home in Australia, but he remains hopeful an opportunity could present itself this summer.
'I understand the circumstances of the current team very well. They play really good cricket, they are World Test champions,” Maxwell told SEN.
“There aren't many places up for grabs for Tests at home, but I know that when it comes to a subcontinent tour I can be a viable option to hopefully fill a role in that side.
'So I'll keep trying to pull the plug and hopefully I'll get a chance at that stage.
“But yeah, it would have been nice to play one at home, that's where I played all my first-class cricket and it felt like I'd toiled there for a few years.
“It's something I wish I could have done. But due to circumstances and timing I was probably more favored 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 have a truckload of first-class runs behind you,” Ponting told Channel 7.
'He (Maxwell) doesn't deserve it. But if he gets the chance to get back and make some first-class runs, he can force his way back in.”
Maxwell has played just one Shield match since October 2019.
However, Ponting's former teammate Greg Blewett disagreed with his assessment and said Maxwell deserved another chance at Test level.
“It's not his fault he hasn't played first-class cricket,” Blewett said.
“He's good enough to play in the middle order, especially on a subcontinent tour.”