Glenn Maxwell scored a brilliant 278 runs in the last match he played for Victoria in the JLT Sheffield Shield and their coach Andrew McDonald has now challenged the 29-year-old batsman to back up his performance with more runs in the upcoming matches. Glenn Maxwell was called as a backup for Shaun Marsh in the first Ashes Test but was sent back to Sydney where Victoria played New South Wales in the fourth round match of the tournament.
McDonald was all praises for the right-handed batsman but has high hopes for the middle order batsman if he wants to make it to the national side. Victoria will now host Western Australia at the MCG in the next match beginning from Sunday.
McDonald said:
“It might just be that breakthrough innings that sets him off on the right direction, he was super impressive but the challenge for Maxy now is to back it up. We’ve spoken about that leading into this game and he’s really keen to cash in on that good form.”
The last-placed Bushrangers are desperate to record their first win of the season before the Big Bash League takes over the Sheffield Shield. Victoria has made two changes to their squad. Peter Siddle who is making a comeback from a long injury lay off and has been replaced by Fawad Ahmed. Daniel Christian also makes a comeback to the team replacing Eamonn Vines.
McDonald said:
“He’s been outstanding from where he’s come from … he’s played a lot of cricket on the back of not much cricket over the last couple of years, It’s really great to see him back up and running. But it’s a 10-game season – you don’t win too many titles before Christmas. With his recent history with his back we’re just making sure we get everything right. We want him up and fresh at the back end of the season pushing to potentially play in another Shield final.”