Maxwell’s in perfect position, says coach
GLENN Maxwell’s latest whirlwind cameo should end debate about his best batting spot in Australia’s one-day team, according to coach Justin Langer.
Maxwell, batting at No.7, blasted 48 from 37 balls in Australia’s six-wicket loss to India on Tuesday.
Maxwell’s knock, combined with Shaun Marsh’s brilliant 131 from 123 deliveries, helped Australia post 9-298 at Adelaide Oval.
But India, deftly guided by Virat Kohli’s 104 along with the masterly finishing touches of MS Dhoni (55 from 54 balls) claimed victory to level the series at one-all ahead of the deciding fixture in Melbourne on Friday.
In the series-opener, Maxwell faced just five balls, prompting critics to deem his No.7 batting spot as a waste of his talent.
But in Adelaide, Maxwell came to the crease in the 38th over and proved the No.7 slot was his “perfect position”, Langer said.
“I remember the days when Michael Clarke used to bat seven and Michael Hussey used to bat seven,” Langer said.
“I used to muck around with Huss saying: ‘mate, you have got the best job in the world, you never bat, you get paid a fortune but you never bat because the team is going so well’.
“But when Maxy can come in and put the finishing touches on like he does, for me it’s the perfect position.”
Langer said Australia had tried numerous batting orders in the past two years – a period coinciding with six consecutive ODI series losses – but hadn’t struck the right combination.
“We haven’t had the success we’d like to and we’re trying different things,” Langer said.