Maxwell tweaks spin method for Bangladesh
Aug 14, 2017 - 5:31 PM Allrounder Glenn Maxwell is hoping a change of technique will convince skipper Steve Smith to throw him the ball during Australia's tour of Bangladesh.Smith was criticised by predecessor Michael Clarke for his apparent reluctance to utilise Maxwell's offspinners during Australia's 2-1 series defeat in India earlier this year.
After replacing the injured Mitch Marsh, Maxwell scored his maiden Test century during the third Test in Ranchi.
But he was largely overlooked with the ball, delivering just four overs in India's marathon first innings, which lasted 210 overs and paved the way for a gripping draw.
"On good batting wickets, if you keep doing the same things then you're going to keep getting the same results," Clarke said at the time.
"Keep him (Maxwell) involved in the game as much as you can. Because he's got that Midas touch about him, he just finds a way to get a run-out or a wicket."
It was a similar story in the fourth Test, with Maxwell bowling two overs for the match as India notched an eight-wicket victory.
Maxwell is hoping it will be a different story during the two-Test series in Bangladesh later this month.
But the 28-year-old says he wasn't overly disappointed to have been passed over for bowling duties in India.
"Not really," Maxwell told AAP from the national team's pre-tour training camp in Darwin.
"I could understand why I wasn't bowling at certain stages.
"I suppose coming into this tour, I'm hoping that I can show that I've put a lot of work into my bowling and I can get that opportunity.
"I've shortened my bowling stride a little bit to make sure that I've got that drop on the ball and that I'm getting the shape that I actually want.
"It's obviously one of my skills that I can bring to the side, and something that's going to help me try and nail down that No.6 position, having that extra string to my bow."
As the incumbent No.6, Maxwell appears likely to take the allrounder slot in Bangladesh ahead of medium-pacer Hilton Cartwright.
Australia will take three full-time spinners to Bangladesh with first-choice tweaker Nathan Lyon joined by left-armer Ashton Agar and the uncapped Mitchell Swepson.
The Australians are scheduled to depart for Dhaka on August 18, with the first Test to commence on August 27.
Source: AAP
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