Very happy to get back into the Test team: Glenn Maxwell

The Australians ended their first innings on a high as they posted a 450 plus total on the board leaving a tough task ahead of the hosts. The Aussie innings was marked by two emphatic innings one of skipper Steve Smith and the other one by allrounder Glenn Maxwell.

Both the players struck tons and powered Australia to a position of great strength on day two of the third Test at Ranchi between the two heavyweights. Smith’s innings was of great value as the right-hander remained unbeaten at the crease at a score of 178 from just 361 deliveries. But Maxwell’s knock was no less as he partnered his skipper well before falling to Indian allrounder Ravindra Jadeja on the score of 104.

After the end of the day’s play, Maxwell expressed his happiness on getting back in the Test team while the series was locked 1-1. Maxwell was called up in place of the injured Mitchell Marsh and he did absolute justice to the decision. The Big Show said, “Very happy to get back into the Test team. That partnership with Smudge put us in a good position.”

When asked about Steve Smith innings, Maxwell has come up with a message for the skipper’s technique doubters, “He probably lifts the team to another level because he makes the game look so easy. He doesn’t care what people say about his technique. He knows he has his technique doubters, but when the bloke’s got 19 Test tons and averages over 60 I don’t think you can knock it too much.”

India coming in to bat in the second part of the day were 120/1 at stumps and the game is now nicely poised and promises a lot of action in the three days to follow. Maxwell felt that the Indian openers started well and Australia would have liked one or two more wickets which would have put them in command.

The allrounder also spoke about the hard work put in to get back into the team and how comfortable he was batting out there on Ranchi the pitch.

“We would have liked one or two more wickets. To have that faith shown in me, to produce that innings has been really amazing. A little bit more up and down, and a little bit more spin today. Hopefully, that continues as the match wears on. Felt very comfortable out there. Obviously, something I have been working on. Got to be disciplined again. We have got the ball reversing.”

“Had a fair bit of time to play in the nets in the last couple of weeks. Was just trying to make sure I was ready if called upon. I’ll try my best to contribute in the field. Have to be disciplined with our line and lengths, especially with the quicks. When the ball goes soft, it will be about keeping the runs down and hitting the stumps I suppose.” concluded Maxwell.