Glenn Maxwell continues to impress all manner of good judges, with Test great Justin Langer the latest to laud the Victorian's run-scoring spree and composure at the crease.
Maxwell's long wait for a home Test continues after he was overlooked in the 13-man squad named for the Ashes clash that starts in Perth on Thursday.
The allrounder was axed for the first Ashes Test, called into Brisbane as injury cover then shipped off to Sydney, where he scored a career-best 278 for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.
Maxwell backed it up with a knock of 96 against Langer-coached Western Australia at the MCG.
Langer is widely tipped to replace Darren Lehmann as Australia's coach in 2019 and was in charge of the national team when Maxwell was dropped during an ODI tour last year.
"Glenn Maxwell batted brilliantly in the last Shield game," Langer told reporters in Perth.
"I'd never seen him bat with such temperament ... I was very impressed."
Mitch Marsh's call-up ahead of Maxwell has generated plenty of debate but Langer says it's comparing apples and oranges, noting selectors clearly wanted to summon an allrounder capable of coming off the long run.
The mid-season Shield break means Maxwell must now refocus on the Big Bash League but Langer suggested the excitement machine's chance to shine in the baggy green could come very soon.
"When you go to Sydney or Melbourne maybe, you might look at Glenn Maxwell as the allrounder," Langer said.
"I don't think it was a decision between Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. It's more a decision between Mitch Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Moises Henriques or someone else who can bowl fast."
It is logic that Maxwell can't fault.
"Going to the WACA you probably don't need that extra spinning option," he told cricket.com.au
"You can completely understand why (selectors) would have gone that way.
"All I can do is wish him well, he's a very good mate of mine."
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