After making it to the final of the World Test championship for the second consecutive time, the defending champions Australia are set to play two Test matches in Sri Lanka ahead of the title clash against South Africa at Lords in June. Ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka, there are reports going on that all-rounder Glenn Maxwell could make his return in red-ball cricket for Australia after more than seven years. However, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels it would be a backward step if Maxwell makes into the squad for Sri Lanka Tests.
Notably, Glenn Maxwell has played only seven Test matches for Australia from 2013 to 2017. His last Test match came against Bangladesh in Chattogram in September, 2017. Talking about his potential return in Test in his interview with 7Cricket, Ricky Ponting said that Australia should give a chance to young players against Sri Lanka. "I really can't see how he can. This is nothing against Glenn. He has been a fantastic international player. But I think it is going to be backward step for the Australian Test team if they go back to Glenn Maxwell for a one-off tour,” Ponting was quoted as saying by India Today.
Give youngsters what a taste of it is like: Ricky Ponting
Glenn Maxwell doesn’t have such great number in his Test career of seven matches. The allrounder scored 339 runs with the bat at an average of 26.07 including a hundred, and scalped eight wickets at an average of 42.62. Speaking further, Ricky Ponting said that Australia should go with some young players and make them ready for some tough challengers in the longest format of the game.
“I think they will be better off bringing in some youngsters in and around the group and give them what a taste of it is like. Sometimes going on one of the hardest tours will be, as youngster, will be the quickest ways to learn,” Ricky Ponting said.
