Maxwell bets on red for Test recall

Sam Ferris Victorian had hoped World Cup performances would be enough to earn Test selection Glenn Maxwell believes his all-consuming limited-overs schedule over the past two years has made it increasingly difficult for him to push his case for Test selection. Maxwell was overlooked for the winter Test tours to the Caribbean and British Isles by the National Selection Panel, instead earning selection in Australia A's four-day squad to tour India in July.

The 26-year-old starred in Australia's World Cup triumph in February and March, and was counting on his success on the world's biggest stage to be enough to earn him a Test recall."

I was hoping my performances against international attacks would hold me in good stead," Maxwell told cricket.com.au from India, where he's currently playing for Kings Punjab XI in the IPL."I thought I played quite well in the World Cup and a couple of games before that." I felt like I was in a good headspace in as far as international cricket goes."

I knew I hadn't played a whole lot of red-ball cricket, so I was hoping the fact that I'd been playing international cricket for Australia and that was the reason I was missing Shield cricket would hold me in good stead." But obviously not, and I've just got to keep finding a way to try and play some red ball cricket."

While Maxwell - who played the most recent of his three Tests against Pakistan last October - has been on the road chasing and belting the white ball, those in the Bupa Sheffield Shield have leapfrogged him in the Test pecking order.

Adam Voges's record-breaking Shield season for Western Australia earned him selection in Australia's Test squad, while leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill also received a call up after prolific Shield seasons.But Maxwell could manage only one completed red-ball match this summer, scoring 24 and taking three wickets in a 117-run win for the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers over Voges's Warriors.Regular selection in Australia's limited-overs teams throughout the summer, the mid-season break for the KFC T20 Big Bash League and Maxwell's IPL commitments means his hunger for the longer form of the game knows no satiety. Ironically however, a hamstring injury to close friend Aaron Finch has opened the door for him to potentially play some red-ball cricket this year at Yorkshire, where Finch was meant to head following his stint in India. Maxwell had already signed on to play for the White Roses in England's domestic T20 competition, but now the dynamic allrounder might also get a shot against the red Duke ball in County cricket at the expense of his former housemate.

Yorkshire's director of cricket Martyn Moxon has so far kept his cards close to his chest, but confirmed on Thursday that plans were in place to fill the void left by Finch's injury.Should Maxwell be given the opportunity at Headingley, it would give him another chance to display his wide array of unorthodox strokes in the format he considers to be best suited to his ever-evolving game."

I've always wanted to play county cricket and test my skills over there," Maxwell said."I feel like it's something that would really suit me and a place I can learn a lot. "My experiences with Hampshire playing in the twos (second XI) and the one Championship game I got I learnt a lot over there and really enjoyed the way the game was played."

I really thrive on that competitive nature and playing in those conditions ... I love the conditions over there."

CA