MAXWELL SAVES AUSSIES
GLENN Maxwell would love a promotion up the order in Australia’s one-day side but the in-form batsman insists he’s also content, confident and capable at No.7.
Maxwell’s place in the order is among many burning issues that Australia must settle before this year’s World Cup defence in England.
The excitement machine was demoted to No.7 during the home summer and has passed 50 just once in the past 17 ODI innings, with the allrounder noting earlier this week he is unsure if he’ll even be selected in Australia’s 15man World Cup squad.
But Maxwell at his best, as he was at No.4 during an astonishing knock of 113 not out that delivered Australia a Twenty20 series victory over India in Bangalore, shapes as arguably Justin Langer’s most potent trump card in England.
Allan Border last month argued Maxwell was “wasted” at No.7, while Langer last month declared it was the “perfect” position for him.
Maxwell, speaking after a timely reminder of why he is among the world’s most destructive batsmen, admitted he would like to bat higher up the order than No.7 during the ODI series that starts in Hyderabad on Saturday.
“If an opportunity does come up, I’d love to take it,” Maxwell said. “It’d be nice to bat higher but there’s obviously a lot of well-credentialed players in our top four and top five that thoroughly deserve their spot.
“I’m not too fazed. Even when I came in tonight, there were still 16 overs to bat and I was able to get a hundred, so if I’m doing that at No.7 or No.6 it doesn’t really matter.”
Maxwell also made the point, speaking about the catalyst for his red-hot form, that being a regular at No.4 in T20 cricket had helped.
Maxwell, who also topscored in Australia’s touropening T20 win in Vizag, suggested there is no reason he can’t replicate his dominance in the 50-over format against the same opposition.