Maxwell strengthens Bangladesh chances

Australia will name a 15-man squad for their two-Test series with Bangladesh, with Glenn Maxwell favoured to be among those named.

Australia's Glenn Maxwell.

Glenn Maxwell is set for inclusion in Australia's 15-man squad for their Bangladesh two-Test series. (AAP)

Glenn Maxwell is set to reprise his role as a subcontinental Test specialist following a star showing in Australia's one-day series with England.

Australia will on Monday name a 15-man squad for next month's two-test series in Bangladesh, with allrounder Maxwell favoured to gain selection in what is expected to be one of the least experienced squads in nearly four decades.

All three of the 26-year-old Tests have come on the subcontinent, with two against India and one against Pakistan in the UAE, where his useful offspin makes him a valuable prospect in the middle order.

Maxwell is determined to prove he is more than just a limited overs superstar and has gone to great lengths to try to prove it - including playing second XI fixtures with Yorkshire in order to get more red-ball cricket under his belt.

It was a drop in standard for what Maxwell, an Indian Premier League million-dollar man, is used to - but one he knew he had to do.

"If you look at the guys that were playing Ashes they were playing non-stop," he said.

"They had the tour games in between and they're getting their match practice.

"I needed to be doing the same thing if I was going to be playing any upcoming tours this summer, hopefully Bangladesh, hopefully the Aussie summer.

"I need to be playing first-class cricket if I want to be picked in those kind of tournaments and tours."

Maxwell impressive first class record, where he averages 40.42, could see him bat at No.6 and allow Australia to play a second allrounder, likely Mitch Marsh.

But there are many other question marks which remain around Australia's squad, which has been hit by the retirements of Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris since the start of the Ashes.

With David Warner (thumb) also ruled out of the series, Australia will be forced to field a new opening partnership - likely to be recalled duo Joe Burns and Shaun Marsh.

Burns has opened during the ODI series and this week was given praise by coach Darren Lehmann for his performances.

"We always take international cricket in any format and how they play into consideration when you're picking Test sides," he said.

"So for us when you play at the highest level if they perform well that's certainly a big tick for you."

Warner's absence should also open a squad spot for youngster Cameron Bancroft, although the West Australian is down in the pecking order for the opening Test in Chittagong on October 9.

In his debut series as skipper Steve Smith could move away from the No.3 position, as another career is set to be revived with Usman Khawaja favoured to slot in at first drop.

Despite a poor Ashes, veteran Adam Voges is unlikely to lose his spot as Australia undergoes its greatest upheaval since World Series Cricket in the late 1970s.

Pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson are expected to be rested, leaving Mitchell Starc to lead an attack which could feature tearaway Pat Cummins, veteran Peter Siddle and Gurinder Sandhu, the NSW quick who bowled handy offspin on Australia A's recent tour of India.

Peter Nevill has cemented his spot as Australia's immediate successor to Haddin as the team's wicketkeeper, while Steve O'Keefe appears likely to win out over Ashton Agar as the back-up spinner to Nathan Lyon.

Potential squad: Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Steve O'Keefe, Gurinder Sandhu, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges.


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Source: AAP


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