All-rounder Glenn Maxwell feels slightly misled after missing out on Australian Test squad selection despite being told to save his legs.
The 29-year-old was controversially left out of new coach Justin Langer's first two-Test 15-man squad to face Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month.
Maxwell, who scored 707 runs at 50.50 at Sheffield Shield level last season, was jumped in the queue after being told there was no need to audition during the English county season and as part of the recent Australia A tour in India.
"The disappointment from my side is the fact that I probably didn't get the opportunity to play any cricket over the last couple of months," he told SEN on Wednesday.
The process left the big-hitting Victorian, the only Australian batsman other than Steve Smith and David Warner to score a Test century in Asia in the last two years, feeling as if he'd been left in the lurch.
"I had a few offers to go play county cricket in England and they were originally knocked back with a chance to play in the A's series," Maxwell said.
"Then to get told not to play in the A's series and have a rest I was understanding of that and their reasoning behind that.
"But I was hoping that was a positive note to go to Dubai. Obviously, that wasn't the case."
Former Test captain Ricky Ponting and coach Darren Lehmann both questioned the "bizarre" logic behind denying Maxwell the chance to mount a compelling case for selection in India.
Ponting suggested Maxwell had every right to be "ropeable".
When asked if he felt slightly misled over the process Maxwell said: "Maybe a little bit."
"I feel like there was other guys that were sort of able to get a full off-season of cricket into them and be able to hit that A's series either up and running or able to put their names forward.
"With the guys that they've picked, they're obviously going in a different direction."
But Maxwell, who in a cruel twist was wearing his Baggy Green for a sponsorship promotion when informed of his omission, conceded he's had his fair share of chances.
"I probably missed an opportunity (in Bangladesh) to really nail down that position and make it mine for the summer," he said.
"I left the door just slightly open and other players jumped in and took over."
Langer claimed selectors weren't comfortable picking Maxwell due to his perceived dearth of first-class centuries (seven), the same number as squad members Aaron Finch and Travis Head.
Not to be perturbed, Maxwell now plans to answer the bell via the one-day domestic cup and Sheffield Shield.
"Hopefully, I can pile on enough runs this summer to keep pushing my case forward," he said.
Australian Associated Press
