Michael Clarke is critical of Glenn Maxwell’s workload, says ‘Australia missed a trick’

Steve Smith’s Ranchi tactics were questioned by former Australian skipper Michael Clarke. But coach Darren Lehmann does not have any issues with Smith’s decision to overlook Glenn Maxwell’s offspinners.

Maxwell delivered only four overs in India’s first innings, which ended after 210 overs. After 1975, this was the first time when Australia spent so long in the field. Clarke questioned why Steve Smith didn’t use Maxwell more frequently, also wondering why Smith didn’t bowl his own part-time leg spin at all.

After India marched to 9-603 in their first innings, the Indian skipper declared. The visitors are likely to draw the Test, which appears so until now. Overlooking Maxwell, who replaced injured allrounder Mitch Marsh in the XI, 3 frontline bowlers worked hard in unprecedented fashion.

Josh Hazlewood (44 overs), Pat Cummins (39 overs) and Steve O’Keefe (77 overs) endured immense workload. Nathan Lyon bowled 46 overs and was bothered by the cracked callus on his spinning finger.

“That’s the captain’s call obviously. We did speak about it, chopping and changing it a little bit. The game was always on a knife’s edge so you always want your best spinners going,” Lehmann said.

“(Maxwell) probably could have bowled a few more overs but I thought the spinners toiled really hard as well. That’s a call the captain makes out there and I’m happy with that.”

Meanwhile, Michael Clarke had a different perspective of Smith’s tactics while commentating on Star Sports.

“On good batting wickets, if you keep doing the same things then you’re going to keep getting the same results. Keep him (Maxwell) involved in the game as much as you can. Because he’s got that Midas touch about him, he just finds a way to get a run-out or a wicket” Clarke said.

However, the 3rd Test between India and Australia ended in a draw.