Lehmann blasts Maxwell: Will you pick a bloke who hasn’t made 100 for 2 years?
Australia coach Darren Lehmann has blasted Glenn Maxwell over his claims that batting at No 6 for Victoria behind wicketkeeper-captain Matthew Wade had hurt his chances of a Test comeback during the final South Africa Test at home last month.
“I think probably batting below the wicketkeeper is also a bit painful as well. I think the wicketkeeper should be batting at seven unless you’re trying to squeeze an extra bowler into your line-up,” Maxwell told Australian media.
All-rounder Maxwell has played three Tests, the last one was two years ago against Pakistan. Lehmann said Maxwell was never in contention for a place in the Test squad.
“No. Because he hasn't made 100 for the last two years. You need to make 100. Are you going to pick a bloke that hasn't made 100 for two years?” Lehmann said.
Maxwell has also drawn criticism from former Victoria wicketkeeper Darren Berry.
“Glenn, you've missed the mark there I'm sorry ... that's '
“It's a team sport and he's batting at six, Cameron White's batting behind him at seven. Cameron White didn't come out and
Berry felt Maxwell’s recent comments might create a toxic atmosphere in the dressing room of the Australian team with both him and Wade part of the ODI squad to play New Zealand shortly.
“I'm tipping there'll either be a Mexican stand-off or there'll be a clash of the titans. I would just say, 'let's sort this out. What's the go? Bang, we're now playing for Australia, clear the decks and let's go'. Go out and have a little cold one and a chat and say, 'what's going on?'” he said.
“What I'm detecting is that Maxwell is not happy behind the scenes, clearly the Vics aren't happy with him and this has just raised the tension,” he added.