SL vs AUS | Pat Cummins hints at Maxwell's inclusion in the second Test

Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins has dropped a hint on Glenn Maxwell replacing Mitchell Starc in the second Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle starting tomorrow.  

However, Cummins also said that although the visitors don't need two pacers, Starc is well in the mix, considering his record in the island nation.

"It feels a bit harder than it did last week … but we'll give it right up until tomorrow morning (to finalise the team)," Cummins said. 

"Last week, you probably didn't need two quicks but Mitchell Starc's class, so we'll wait and see," he added. 

To note, Maxwell was in consideration for the first Test as well, but the tourists decided to go with Travis Head, who made a mark with his off-spin in the third innings of the match. 

The spinners dominated the first match picking 26 of 31 wickets, which is why Australia is considering playing just one frontline quick in the series finale. 

Although Cummins didn't unveil the playing eleven, the Australian captain revealed that Australia would go with the same twelve as the first Test and take the final call on the playing XI at the toss time.

"Same 12 (as in the last match), we are going to have a look at the wicket today, maybe in the morning as well, and see what they end up doing with it," Cummins told reporters after having a first look at the pitch.

The number one Test bowler opined that Maxwell's impressive show with the ball in the ODI series makes him a strong contender for the spin allrounder's role in the team. 

"He was excellent (in the ODI series). The all-round package that he brings in, particularly that bowling, you feel like you can easily get 15-20 overs out of him. The role that we'll see him in is a little bit of bowling and a bit of batting at No.8 and taking the game on," Cummins said. 

In support of Maxwell's selection, Cummins also stressed that even if the wicket plays many tricks, the right-handed batter can get the team quick 20-30 runs.

"It might not be grinding out a hundred but a quickfire 30 or 40. If the wicket plays lots of tricks, the batting will be the area where you have to find those 20 or 30 runs somewhere.

Notably, Maxwell hasn't played a Test match for Australia since 2017. Further, he has not played a first-class game since October 2019 due to his extensive role in Australia's white-ball setup and the impact of COVID-19 on the domestic schedule. 

But with the backing of management, he looks poised to make his Test return.