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Temptation to recall Maxwell: Gillespie

Former Test quick labels Australia's victory over India in Pune one of their best ever overseas

Former Test quick Jason Gillespie says Australia would be tempted to recall Glenn Maxwell for the second Test against India, despite a victory in Pune that he says is one of their best ever overseas, if not the greatest in their history.

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Less than a week ago, Australia were given next to no chance of toppling the world number one side, who hadn't lost a Test match at home since 2012.

But after a jaw-dropping three days in Pune, the tourists head to Bengaluru with a 1-0 series lead and genuine hope of claiming just their second series triumph in India in almost five decades.

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While the Aussies would be loath to change a winning side, Gillespie says Maxwell's ability to take the game on in Indian conditions could bring him into contention for his first Test since 2014, probably at the expense of fellow allrounder Mitchell Marsh.

But Gillespie added Marsh's pace-bowling, which wasn't used in Pune due to the dominance of Australia's spinners, will be required on a Bengaluru surface that is expected to be flatter than the minefield in Pune.

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"I think it'd be unlikely (they'd make any changes)," Gillespie told EON Sports. "I think the only guy under pressure to keep his spot will be Mitchell Marsh, who didn't bowl in the Test and is the back-up for the seamers.

"I think Mitch will stay in; he made 31 in the second innings in a low-scoring game so he's probably done enough, just, to hang on.

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"But if they feel they can get away with two seamers, I'd be tempted to potentially play someone like Maxwell. He's a fine player of spin (and) I think he's an underrated long-form player.

"The reason I say that is he judges length very quickly and that's the key to batting. And I think on these surfaces he could be quite fearless and take the attack to the Indian spinners. And I think he could do a decent job.

"But I'd envisage in Bangalore, they'd need the back-up seam option. The wicket won't be as bad as it was in Pune so I think Mitch's bowling will be the real key."


Gillespie was a key player in Australia's last Test triumph in India, their famous series win in 2004 that was built largely on the pace-bowling of Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz.

Australia's drought-breaking victory 13 years ago, their first series win in India since 1969, is regarded as one of the nation's greatest-ever triumphs.

But given the personnel of the current side is nowhere near as accomplished as the legendary side of a decade ago, Gillespie says the victory in Pune should be regarded as one of Australia's best ever.

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And he says there's no reason why Steve Smith's side can't now push on and win the series.

"I think it's one of, if not the best performance by an Australian side overseas pretty much ever," he said.

"With everything that was going against them, I think it's right up there.

"I really do (think they can win the series). I don't see why not.

"India have to make the play here and take some risks and be ultra-positive. Australia just need to play, take the games deep, absorb pressure (and) put pressure on the bowlers at times. And with the ball, it's just a patience game.

"The simpler the Australian boys keep it, the longer the games go, the Indians will start to panic a little bit. They'll start to create things when they're not there and that's when they mistakes will come in."