Maddinson, McDermott the Ashes bolters, door still open for Maxwell

Nic Maddinson and Ben McDermott are set to be the bolters in the mix to play in the Ashes, while the door has not been closed on Glenn Maxwell’s career in the baggy green.

Cricket Australia is expected to name a pool of 25 players, divided into Australia and Australia A squads, for the first Test and a game against the England Lions starting a day later.

The selectors’ task was made more complex this year by the scheduling clash between the Twenty20 World Cup and the start of the Sheffield Shield, which has been interrupted by borders being closed to so-called “dirty” states NSW and Victoria.

Maddinson’s selection in the A squad is recognition for the progress he has made since crossing to Victoria from his home state of NSW in 2018.

The left-hander, averaging 62 in the Shield for his adopted state, made a vital 87 in bowler-friendly conditions this week at Drummoyne Oval. His knock was instrumental in the Vics’ 204-run victory over the Blues at Drummoyne Oval.

At the recommendation of then captain Steve Smith, Maddinson was picked to make his Test debut against South Africa in 2016 but was dumped after a wretched start, with 27 runs from four innings. He has remained on the radar of selectors, and was named in numerous Australia A squads since moving to Victoria.

Nic Maddinson had been in excellent form for Victoria.Credit:Getty

McDermott has represented Australia in both white-ball formats but has not broken through for a baggy green. His first-class average of 33 is modest, and a reflection of his inability to convert 50s into triple figures.

The son of former Australia bowling great Craig McDermott, the Tasmania batter had been in contention to be picked for the postponed Test tour of South Africa. He missed the Tigers’ Shield game against Queensland due to a back complaint.

Maxwell, who last wore the baggy green four years ago, remains in selectors’ Test plans for spin-specialist squads, with overseas missions slated next year against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in the Future Tours Programme.

The Victorian’s lack of games in the Shield will not count against him, given his extensive experience playing white-ball cricket in Asia.

Glenn Maxwell remains in selectors’ Test plans.Credit:Getty Images

The Test futures of senior pair Matthew Wade and Moises Henriques are clouded. Wade is the incumbent No.5 but had his cards marked by selectors when they left him out of the touring party for South Africa.

Henriques made the cut for that tour but performed poorly when given the chance in the Twenty20 series in the Caribbean and Bangladesh, albeit in conditions entirely different to what he will encounter at home for the Ashes.

Their omissions would herald a shift in outlook for the new selection panel, chaired by George Bailey and now including former Victoria seamer Tony Dodemaide.

Travis Head and Usman Khawaja remain the leading contenders for the No.5 berth while Will Pucovski is favoured to edge out Marcus Harris, who made a second innings century for Victoria, to open alongside David Warner, though he will need to prove his fitness.

Jhye Richardson and uncapped seamers Sean Abbott, Michael Neser and Michael Steketee are all in the frame though their chances of playing a Test hinge on the fitness of the big three of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Meanwhile, skipper Peter Nevill played a lone hand with an unbeaten 29 as NSW’s inexperienced batting line-up collapsed for a second time, allowing the Vics to claim the points.

In Townsville, Queensland wrapped up a 96-run victory over Tasmania in the Shield after spinner Matt Kuhnemann claimed five wickets in the final innings.

And Test all-rounder Cameron Green and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe steered Western Australia home by six wickets against South Australia in Perth.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.

Most Viewed in Sport

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article