Jason Gillespie reckons that Glenn Maxwell deserves a chance in Bangalore

Jason Gillespie has toured India on several occasions in the past and was also part of the last side that triumphed in India as well. However, in spite of Australia winning the first Test in Pune, it seems quite clear that the incumbent Aussie batting coach wants Glenn Maxwell to be a part of the setup. With tracks in India spinning as much as they are, it would seem not too bad an option.

Gillespie reckons that Mitchell Marsh would perhaps be the player who was frozen out of the side in place of Maxwell with the Aussies looking at another spinning option. However, with the Bangalore wicket not being as spin friendly as one might like, the fact is that Marsh would be one of those players to retain his place.

“I think it’d be unlikely (they’d make any changes),” said Gillespie on Sunday (February 26). “I think the only guy under pressure to keep his spot will be Mitchell Marsh, who didn’t bowl in the Test and is the back-up for the seamers. (But) I think Mitch will stay in. He made 31 in the second innings in a low-scoring game, so he’s probably done enough, just, to hang on.

“But if they feel they can get away with two seamers, I’d be tempted to potentially play someone like Maxwell. He’s a fine player of spin (and) I think he’s an underrated long-form player. The reason I say that is he judges length very quickly and that’s the key to batting. And I think on these surfaces he could be quite fearless and take the attack to the Indian spinners. And I think he could do a decent job.”

“I’d envisage in Bangalore, they’d need the back-up seam option. The wicket won’t be as bad as it was in Pune so I think Mitch’s bowling will be the real key,” he said.

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