Maxwell, who has not played in the five-day arena for his country since 2017, has been told he has not been scoring enough hundreds and does not apply himself properly in training by senior figures in the Australian set-up in recent months
The clamour for Glenn Maxwell to get another chance in the Australia Test team increased on Saturday following another mediocre top-order performance against India.
Kerry O'Keeffe added his name to the list of former and current pros who have backed Maxwell's inclusion after watching the Aussies slip to 236 for 6 in reply to the tourists' mammoth first-innings total of 622 for 7 declared in the fourth and final Test at the SCG.
Maxwell, who has not played in the five-day arena for his country since 2017, has been told he has not been scoring enough hundreds and does not apply himself properly in training by senior figures in the Australian set-up in recent months.
But with a number of the Baggy Green top six failing regularly with the bat, the argument for his exclusion is getting thinner by the day.
Glenn Maxwell has not played Test cricket for Australia since September 2017
O'Keeffe said: "Glenn Maxwell has not been treated well enough in my opinion in recent times.
"He seems to be the fall guy for every mediocre Australian performance.
"It is time to address how the Australian team can use his undoubted talent. He is a superb slow-pitch batsman and his x-factor stroke play in short form has to be encouraged, not discouraged."
Former Australia allrounder Shane Watson is also of the opinion that Maxwell should be involved in the ongoing series against India, and not playing in the Big Bash - where he hit 41 not out on Saturday to help Melbourne Stars beat Sydney Thunder.
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"His four-day record with the bat he averages in the 40s, and that’s pretty strong compared to some of the guys running around," Watson said.
"He’s one of the more talented players we have."
Maxwell averages 41.10 in first-class cricket over the course of his career. Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head and Peter Handscomb - Australia's current No.3 to 6 - average 33.17, 40.92, 36.80 and 38.65 respectively.