Lynn blow opens door for Handscomb, Maxwell
DISCARDED Test batsman Peter Handscomb is jostling with Glenn Maxwell for the right to replace injured Chris Lynn in the Aussie ODI side.
The key question Australia’s selectors will have to answer is how tough do they want to be on Maxwell to teach him that more is expected as an international batsman?
Maxwell was controversial- ly omitted from the squad with Lynn taking his place but the Queenslander strained a calf playing for the Heat at the Gabba last Friday.
His earliest return is seen as a Big Bash game against the Melbourne Renegades on January 27.
It leaves the selectors in a difficult position because Maxwell may seem the next logical alternative but if the panel’s goal is to spur him to greater form then a hasty recall would not solve anything.
Selection chairman Trevor Hohns spotlighted the fact that Maxwell had averaged just 22 from his past 20 ODIs when his omission was announced so Handscomb, who has played eight ODIs for unspectacular results, is in the frame.
Lynn had been a surprise selection because he still cannot throw properly after offseason shoulder surgery but the selectors were keen to get him back in the system with a view to him being part of Australia’s squad for next year’s World Cup defence.
“It is annoying and I’m very disappointed to miss an opportunity with the ODI side, but I know it is minor in the scheme of things,” Lynn said
“I have been working very hard to get myself right and the positive thing is that my shoulder is feeling very good.
“I’ll do the work again and I am confident I will give myself a shot at playing some good cricket again soon.”
Lynn’s injury was also untimely from the point of the view of the mega-rich Indian Premier League auction at the end of the month.
Lynn has been tipped as a million dollar-a-year player and will be hopeful another injury setback does not take the heat out of a bidding war.