Glenn Maxwell in action during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers in December.

Glenn Maxwell in action during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers in December. Photo: Getty Images



Victorian allrounder Glenn Maxwell has replaced injured Australian vice-captain Shane Watson for the third cricket Test against Sri Lanka starting at the SCG on Thursday.


Watson has been ruled out with a recurring calf injury.


Queensland batsman Usman Khawaja has been placed on standby for skipper Michael Clarke, who must prove his fitness after being in doubt for the second Test with a hamstring injury.


Maxwell announced himself by blasting a 19-ball half-century against Tasmania in 2011, the fastest one-day 50 in Australian domestic history.


He impressed national selectors earlier this summer with knocks of 64 for Australia A against South Africa at the SCG and 91 for the Chairman's XI against Sri Lanka in Canberra earlier this month.


Normally batting at No.5 or No.6 for Victoria, Maxwell averages 42 with the bat in 15 first-class matches with his highest score and only hundred a rapid 103 not out against South Australia last year.


Maxwell is also a handy offspinner having claimed 27 first-class wickets at 33.81 and is an athletic fieldsman.


The 24-year-old earned his first national call-up to Australia's one-day and Twenty20 squads to play Afghanistan and Pakistan in the UAE earlier this year and was also picked in the squad for the World T20 in September.


He has played four one-day and seven T20 games for Australia.


Australia's 13-man squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Jackson Bird, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell.


AAP