Glenn Maxwell smashes 278 in Sheffield Shield after being ignored for Ashes

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has scored a massive double-century in the ongoing Sheffield Shield season for Victoria. He was ignored for the first two Test matches of the ongoing Ashes series between England and Australia. The knock has come at a right time for him as Shaun Marsh couldn’t reach the three-figure mark on the third day in Brisbane at the Gabba. However, Maxwell missed out on a well-deserved triple century and was dismissed on 278 against New South Wales.

The 29-year-old Victorian was dropped from the Test squad announced last week and Shaun Marsh was preferred ahead of him at number 6. He had travelled India and Bangladesh earlier this year and fared decently with the bat. Moreover, his century in Ranchi against India possessed a lot of character and it seemed his Test career was rejuvenated. But come the summer at home he was yet again not picked much to the disappointment of his fans. It would be interesting to see if the selection panel reacts to his knock right away.

An aggressive knock

Glenn Maxwell strode out to the middle at number 3 in the seventh over after the early loss of one of the openers. Since then, he controlled the innings right through with his mix of calmness and aggression. He attacked all the bowlers who came his way and smashed a double century. He was eventually dismissed for 278 off just 318 deliveries and his innings was studded with 36 fours to go with four massive sixes. Victoria managed a hefty score of 562 with the loss of 9 wickets and then declared.

Maxwell is now also the highest run-getter of the Sheffield Shield season this year and was also named as a reserve player ahead of the first Ashes Test. The untimely injuries to David Warner and Shaun Marsh just before the first match led to the selectors calling him into the squad as cover. But he wasn’t required a both of them were fit just in time. Though Maxi would love to continue scoring heavily and this innings alone might well earn him a place in the squad for the upcoming Ashes games.