Glenn Maxwell called in as cover for Warner

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Glenn Maxwell called in as cover for Warner
Maxwell is yet to play a Test on home soil. © Getty
Glenn Maxwell has been called in as cover for David Warner for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. Australia’s star opener suffered a sore neck at training on Tuesday during a fielding drill, but is confident of recovering in time, despite showing some discomfort during a 30-minute net session a day prior to the first Test.

“They’re thinking about it (bringing in a replacement player) at the moment, but Davey is confident he’ll be OK,” Smith said on Wednesday (November 22). “Davey is going well. He had a hit just before and he’s very confident. He said he’ll be right to go.”

Maxwell played Tests in India and Bangladesh earlier this year, and also scored his maiden Test century in March in Ranchi. However, yet to play a Test at home, Maxwell was roped in after being overlooked when the initial squad was named, with Shaun Marsh being favoured ahead of him for the No.6 batsman’s slot.

“He’ll be okay,” Smith said of Warner. “It’s part and parcel of playing cricket. Guys have injuries now and then. You have little niggles and he’s confident that he’ll be okay. He said he’ll even bat like Shivnarine Chanderpaul if he has to bat that way. So I think he’ll be all right.

“It’s improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours. Hopefully he can keep improving and he’ll be 100 per cent come 10 o’clock in the morning,” added Smith.

While he was assured of Warner partaking in the game, the Australian captain, also confirmed that Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will lead Australia’s pace attack in tandem for the first time in Test cricket with reserve quicks Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers missing out.

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