Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen, on Friday, launched a stinging attack on former Australian cricketer and selector Mark Waugh following the selection committee’s decision to snub Glenn Maxwell for the third Test against Pakistan at the SCG.
The explosive batsman, who was named Australia’s ODI player of the year earlier this year, has been through a lean patch for quite some now but Pietersen believes his ability to change the game in a blink of an eye should be given the priority. With the Sydney pitch expected to assist the spinners, the selectors have recalled Ashton Agar and Steve O’Keefe but Pietersen feels Maxwell deserved a chance in the Test team.
Criticising Mark Waugh, the English star while commentating during the game between the Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes, said:“I am surprised you still have a job to be fair.”
Supporting his claims, Pietersen said:“He can bat at six, he can give you a few overs of off spin and get you some wickets and his fielding is phenomenal — he’s a freak show in the field.”
“Give him a run (batting) at six and he will change the game. Glenn Maxwell has got to play,” he added.
The right-handed has played three Tests so far for Australia last of which came way back in 2014 while his last appearance for Australia came in June this year when he played the T20I against Sri Lanka. He showed a glimpse of his devastating batting abilities in his first Big Bash League match when he scored 58 off only 49 balls but the knock was not enough to earn him a spot in the Test team.
Waugh, who too was present in the commentary box, said:“Having watched a lot of cricket and played in the modern-day era he is one of the better players in the world. I don’t think anyone will disagree with you.”
Pietersen also questioned the selection panel’s decision to rest Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood during the ODI series in South Africa.
“Do you think you should still be a selector after the South Africa series?” Pietersen asked.
“You rested all your players against a South African side in South Africa. You reckon you should still be a selector? That’s the big question here,” he added.
To which Waugh replied:“They would. They’d have a lot more overs under their belts. Starc was injured obviously so he’s not a shout or is that nonsense from another selector?”