David Warner launches a stunning attack on Glenn Maxwell – as retired star says his former teammate ‘doesn’t deserve’ to make one of his cricketing dreams come true
Australian cricket great David Warner has launched a stunning attack on former teammate Glenn Maxwell, declaring the all-rounder ‘doesn’t deserve’ to be in the selection mix ahead of the Sri Lanka tour in late January.
Pat Cummins’ men will play two Tests on the subcontinent – but Warner pointed to Maxwell’s lack of red-ball cricket with Victoria at Sheffield Shield level as the reason selectors should look elsewhere.
Maxwell, 36, has played seven Tests for Australia, with a highest score of 104.
‘The Big Show’ was expected to play one recent Shield match for Victoria – as well as for the Prime Minister’s XI against India – but had to withdraw from both fixtures due to a hamstring injury.
It is why Warner, a three-time World Cup-winning teammate of Maxwell, is adamant he hasn’t done enough in the longer format to warrant a spot on the plane.
‘If you’re not being picked for your Shield team, then why do you deserve it? You’ve got to actually want it, to want to play four-day cricket,’ Warner told News Corp.
David Warner has launched a stunning attack on former teammate Glenn Maxwell, declaring the all-rounder ‘doesn’t deserve’ to be in the mix for the Sri Lanka tour in late January
Warner pointed to Maxwell’s lack of red-ball cricket with Victoria at Sheffield Shield level as the reason selectors should look elsewhere (Maxwell is pictured, playing at Test level versus Bangladesh in 2017)
Maxwell (pictured left, after winning the ODI World Cup in 2023) is also a key figure for Australia and the Melbourne Stars at T20 level
‘Unless he’s putting his hand up, he’s playing all the club cricket stuff and all that, to want to play Test cricket.
‘He in my opinion, doesn’t deserve that opportunity.’
Warner – now a commentator for Fox Cricket – also believes Adam Zampa should have been more proactive when it comes to Shield cricket opportunities with NSW as he pushes for an opportunity like Maxwell in spin-friendly conditions.
Zampa, 32, is yet to play Test cricket for Australia.
And speaking ahead of the third Test in Brisbane, Warner called for Australia’s top -order to produce at the Gabba as they look for a 2-1 series lead versus India.
‘I think the pressure is on all the top order, not just ‘Uzzie’ [Khawaja]’ he said.
‘Travis [Head] came out [in Adelaide] and counterpunched and scored a brilliant hundred, and we know he’s capable of doing it.
‘But it’s everyone else around supporting that.
‘It’s not just one player in particular, it’s the top six scoring bulk runs and making sure you’re giving the fast bowlers a rest.’
