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'He Doesn't Deserve It'- Ricky Ponting's Harsh Comment On Maxwell's Test Spot Claim

image-lq7jtotfGlenn Maxwell last played a Test in September 2017 (Twitter)

Ricky Ponting rationally rejected Glenn Maxwell's bid for a potential return to play Test cricket for Australia on the back of a tremendous ICC World Cup 2023 campaign. The legendary former Aussie skipper reckons with a lack of strong first-class performances behind him, Maxwell's claim for a comeback to the toughest format doesn't quite hold weight. 

Maxwell has time and again confirmed his ambition to don the baggy green again for Australia, having not played the format since the 2017 tour of Bangladesh. The extravagant right-hander has played seven Tests with 339 runs made at an average of 26.07, including a century in Ranchi during the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

The 35-year-old has pressed claims to be considered as a subcontinent specialist, with his handy part-time off-spin providing an allround option for the team management to balance out the combination. 

Ponting On Maxwell's Bid For Test Return 

However, the selectors seem to have moved on, focusing mainly on specialists and fast-bowling allrounders Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green to forge the strongest possible XI. 

For Ponting, the biggest bone of contention against Maxwell's desired comeback to Test cricket is an insignificant body of work at the domestic level in the Sheffield Shield for Victoria. 

Maxwell hasn't featured in any of the recent first-class matches and last played serious red-ball cricket during his County Championship stint for Warwickshire. In his only outing, Maxwell struck a valiant 81 lower down the order and bowled spells of 0/17 & 1/45. 

"No one deserves a chance unless you've got a truckload of first-class runs behind you," Ponting told 'Channel 7'. 

"I'm a no; he doesn't deserve it. But, if he gets a chance to go back and make some first-class runs, then he can force his way back in."