Australia star Glenn Maxwell has stepped back from his role as the Melbourne Stars captain for the BBL|14 season.
‘The Big Show’ is due to be replaced by Marcus Stoinis who will lead the T20 side next season, with Maxwell seemingly looking to stake a case for a spot on Australia’s tour to Sri Lanka next year.
But on Wednesday, David Warner launched a stuning attack on the 36-year-old batter, who has scored 339 runs in seven Tests during his cricketing career.
Warner, who will lead the Sydney Thunder during the upcoming Big Bash season, claimed Maxwell hadn’t done enough to warrant a spot in Pat Cumins’ side.
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.
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
It comes as Maxwell has stepped aside from his role as the Melbourne Stars’ captain
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)
‘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.
‘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.’
Maxwell, meanwhile, has struggled to lead the Stars to silverware, with the Melbourne-based side failing to reach the BBL finals in the last four years.
The 36-year-old initially took the captaincyin 2018, and is one of the Stars’ most successful leader, guiding the side to 34 wins and 30 losses.
The club thanked Maxwell for his work with the side, with Stars General Manager Blair Crouch paying tribute to the Aussie batter.
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
Under Maxwell, the Stars have not made a BBL finals appearance in the last four years
‘First of all, I want to acknowledge and thank Glenn Maxwell for all his efforts in leading the side over the past 5 seasons and he will continue to be a wonderful resource for everyone at the club,’ Blair said.
‘Marcus demonstrated his leadership ability last year and has been a senior member of the side for a long time.
‘It’s wonderful to have someone who has been at the Stars almost from our inception lead our club in BBL|14.’
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.’
