Snubbed Maxwell sends a double-ton message

GLENN Maxwell sent a message to Australian selectors with his maiden first-class double century in the Sheffield Shield match against NSW yesterday.

As the Australian top order fell in a heap at the Gabba in the first Ashes Test, Maxwell looked crisp as he brought up his 200 from 226 balls to take Victoria to 3-332 at North Sydney Oval.

Albeit without their Test bowlers, the Blues’ attack of Doug Bollinger, Trent Copeland, Stephen O’Keefe, Sean Abbott and Moises Henriques have all represented Australia in some form of the game.

But Maxwell was confident from the outset, getting off the mark by pulling Bollinger for four before bringing up his century in the same fashion off just 113 balls midway through the second session.

He drove Copeland back down the ground for four to notch his double ton more than half an hour before stumps, having hit 29 boundaries.

His dominance was highlighted by the fact that when the Bushrangers lost their second wicket at 2-162 — when opener Travis Dean was caught behind off Bollinger for 36 — Maxwell was already on 115.

Maxwell combined in a 148run stand with Aaron Finch, before the captain was caught behind for 76 off Henriques.

Just a day after flying back from Brisbane from being a late Ashes reserve, Maxwell, 29, has been dominant on the drive but playing freely all around the ground.

He twice drove Copeland back over the top of his head for six.

And he launched a massive pull shot over the fence from Henriques as he approached his double century.

Maxwell also took 15 off one Bollinger over in the first session and whacked three boundaries off Abbott in the first over after lunch.