Maxwell is lucky that Australia pick him: Sourav Ganguly

For the former skippers who have played against the glorious Australian side, it is very tough to witness the current mishap that the baggy greens are in at the moment. Steve Smith‘s XI is out of sorts as the critics are finding a fault in every aspect of Australia’s game. Amongst the numerous questions about team selection, lies a very common and important question- should Glenn Maxwell be given a chance in the team? For former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, it is a straight-forward ‘no’.

Australia have lost the first 2 games, and another defeat will mean that the hosts India will be declared as the winners of the series. He is very concerned about the condition of the team and feels Maxwell is lucky enough to get a chance in the team. While nobody dares to doubt the capability of ‘mad Max’, many feel that he isn’t using his potential to the full. Maxwell has often been on the receiving end of unending criticism due to the knack of throwing away his wicket cheaply.

While he played a stunning-but-shortlived knock in the first ODI, he was dismissed quickly in the second game. Judging the criteria, Maxwell just doesn’t fit into the machine and more is expected of him than what he has been offering.

“He (Glenn Maxwell) won’t play for any team if he continues to play like that. He is lucky that Australia pick him. I just don’t see enough determination in the Australian batting line-up,” the 45-year old commented while talking to India Today.

We are heading in the opposite direction: Michael Clarke

Just like Ganguly, former Aussie skipper Michael Clarke criticised the current performance of his country and even said that instead of going in the way of betterment, they are heading into the opposite direction. “I think whole team needs to improve. My fear and my worry for the Australia cricket is at at the moment we are heading into opposite direction,” Clarke said in a conversation with India Today.

“It’s hard to hear the fact that we are so reliant on a couple of players. In regards to facing spin bowling, I am not sure we are getting any better. The keep making the same mistakes. I feel like the players are making the same mistake. They are scared of getting out,” he further added.

When asked about what Steve Smith will be going through at the moment, the leader of the 5th ICC Cricket World Cup winning Australian side said: “I think as captain every game you lose, you take it personally. So I think he would definitely feel the heat. We are ranked 5th in Tests, 3rd in ODIs and 6th in T20Is. As captain you want to see your team back at No.1 position.”