T P SPIN AT THE TEST

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT THE GABBA

GLENN MAXWELL, controversially overlooked as Aussie No 6, put the selectors under even more pressure by hitting 213 not out on day one of Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales. ENGLAND were cock-a-hoop to get rid of David Warner for 26. Three of his previous Test innings at The Gabba had produced centuries: a punishing 124 the last time England visited and two in the same game against New Zealand. IT’S the seventh time England have batted first at Brisbane and on the two previous occasions they passed 300, they won. In 1936-37 they made 358 (Maurice

Leyland 126), then 50 years later posted 456 (Ian Botham 138). UNBEATEN on 64, Steve Smith put his average back above 60. Among those with 20 or more Test innings, only Don Bradman (99.94), Adam Voges (61), Graeme Pollock, George Headley and Herbert Sutcliffe (all 60) are up there too.