Maxwell driven to win over selectors
GLENN Maxwell has vowed to use his Test snubbing as motivation when he plays for Victoria in their opening JLT Cup one- day clash with Queensland at Riverway Stadium this weekend.
The big- hitting all- rounder headlines an impressive Victorian side for the trip to Townsville including captain Peter Handscomb, Cameron White, and former Blues batsman Nic Maddinson.
Maxwell had hoped to be preparing with the Test squad to face Pakistan in the UAE next month before he was controversially overlooked, with new coach Justin Langer citing his lack of hundreds at Test level.
The 29- year- old said it was extremely disappointing to miss out on a Baggy Green, adding that the desire to play for his country at Test level still “burns deep within” him.
But Maxwell felt the tim- ing of the one- day series was also the perfect opportunity to pile on the runs with Victoria and prove why he deserves to be part of the Australian set- up.
“It’s an opportunity for me to do what the selectors are asking me to do which is go back and dominate at state level and play well,” Maxwell said.
“I’ve put a lot of work in over the last 12 months to get my red ball cricket to where it is and was feeling like this could’ve been my chance to have a really big summer and finally play that home Test.
“I need to make more runs and hopefully I can pile on enough runs this summer to keep pushing my case.”
Riverway Stadium will host three JLT Cup matches starting with Queensland against Victoria this Sunday before Victoria takes on Tasmania next Wednesday and Queensland hosts Tasmania next Saturday.
Entry to matches is free.