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Maxwell makes timely Shield double-century

Glenn Maxwell has continued his push for a spot in Australia's Test team with a Sheffield Shield double-century against NSW

Dynamic batsman Glenn Maxwell has given Australia's selectors an immediate reminder of his skills with the bat after his Test axing, striking a blazing double-century on the first day of Victoria's JLT Sheffield Shield clash with NSW.

Maxwell was overlooked for Australia's squad for the first two Tests of the Magellan Ashes series, with selectors instead opting to recall Shaun Marsh to bat at No.6.

Called up to Brisbane as cover when David Warner and Marsh had injury issues leading into the first Test, Maxwell was not required and batted at first drop for the Bushrangers today.

The right-hander got off the mark with swivelling pull shot off former Test quick Doug Bollinger and rattled along to bring up his fifty from just 66 balls, taking the left-armer for 15 in one over along the way.

With opener Travis Dean nudging along at the other end, Maxwell looked assured on a North Sydney Oval pitch showing signs of life.

He lofted Trent Copeland for a straight six to move into the eighties, and the following over breezed through the nineties with back-to-back fours off the medium pacer.

Maxwell then brought up his ton in the exact same fashion as he'd started his innings, with a pull shot off Bollinger, his century coming from 113 balls with his 18th four.

Mighty Maxwell celebrates rapid Shield century

And while Test rival Shaun Marsh was grinding out an innings for Austraia at the Gabba, Maxwell continued to make a statement, pushing on with his innings to first pass his highest first-class score then bring up a double century, from 228 balls with 26 boundaries and three sixes.

After the initial disappointment of his dumping, the 28-year-old again firmed to regain his spot when he was flown to Brisbane this week to be on standby for Marsh and Warner, who both suffered injury scares on the eve of the Test summer-opener.

With both passed fit to take on England at the Gabba, Maxwell journeyed to Sydney for the Bushrangers match against the Blues and wasted no time in making a fresh case for inclusion.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns indicated that while Maxwell and fellow incumbent Hilton Cartwright had been discussed for the first Test, Marsh got the nod after notching half-centuries in each of Western Australia's first three Shield matches.

"Both those fellas were spoken about and we came up with the fact that they haven’t performed well enough in the early rounds of the competition this year," Hohns told reporters last week.

"(The selection panel had) suggested that they were going to be crucial (Shield) rounds for everybody.

"Everybody knew there were positions up for grabs. So it was up to them to perform and present their case to us.

"We just feel that Shaun Marsh … has performed much, much better and demanded to be chosen."

Marsh shocker ends in falcon and four

Spin king Shane Warne however indicated he thought Maxwell would have brought a different element to Australia's middle order.

"Maxi wants to be known as consistent and not the X factor, but I believe being the X factor is his way forward," Warne said.

"All teams need match-winners and make no mistake, Maxi is one of those.

"Yes, we will shake our heads and roll our eyes occasionally, but we have to accept the odd horror and enjoy his best when it comes off.

"He makes things happen in all facets of the game but needs encouragement from the leaders to express himself."