Glenn Maxwell is too good a player to be dropped says Michael Clarke

Australia have struggled throughout the series with different problems in different games. They were outclassed and have lost the series after the first three ODIs. Steve Smith & Co. never got the winning push in any of the games though they had their chances. Indians have dominated them in every aspect of the game.

Coming into the fourth game changes were expected. The game being a dead rubber India and Australia both the sides made some changes. However, the Australians sprung a surprise as they sacked Glenn Maxwell from the team and brought back wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade as his replacement. This was a surprise as Maxwell did not really get a fair chance to make a mark in the series.

In the first ODI, he played a good cameo of 39 from 18 deliveries almost winning the game for Australia while in the third ODI he was at the crease during the death overs. It was only in the second ODI that he fared poorly. He averages only 19 in the series but that is not the true story. The decision to bench him has angered Michael Clarke.

Unhappy with the decision

The former Australian captain thought that the last two games were a perfect opportunity for Maxwell to understand his role in the team. Clarke stressed on the fact that Maxwell is a very good player and does not deserve to be dropped.

“I thought these two games, in particular, were a great opportunity for Maxi (Maxwell) to understand where he sits in the team. I thought it was a good chance to (promote him up the order) and make it clear to him that if he doesn’t make a big score in the next two games, then you’re having a different conversation,” he said while talking to Star Sports.

Clarke also said that all the Australian fans want to see him do well on a consistent basis. He is very talented and if he becomes more consistent he can be one of the best in the game. He also disagreed with the way Maxwell was used, he believes Glenn can be used better and the management needs to find the answer to this.

“I know he hasn’t performed as well as we would have liked and I think everyone in Australia wants to see somebody so talented be more consistent. But I think he’s too good a player to not allow him to just go back into the wilderness and go back to first-class cricket. I think the leadership in the team needs to find a way to get the best out of Glenn Maxwell,” Clarke concluded.

Though the decision didn’t quite backfire for Australia as they managed to win the 4th ODI and register first points in their tally for the series. They’d still want to rethink the playing XI heading into the last ODI at Nagpur.