Smith’s Big Show-down

GLENN Maxwell has refuted suggestions of a rift with Steve Smith and intends to catch up with the Australia captain to address comments made about his omission from the one-day squad to face England.

Smith last week criticised Maxwell’s training standards and implored the Victorian to ditch the “funky” stuff when explaining his non-selection.

Headlining a group of middle-order contenders to replace the injured Chris Lynn (calf), Maxwell strengthened his claims by belting 60 in the Melbourne Stars’ eight-wicket BBL loss to the Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday.

Whether his knock will be enough for him to earn a recall remains to be seen.

“I’ll address that (Smith’s comments) with Steven personally,” Maxwell said. “We get along really well, we’ve got a good friendship. … There’s not much you can say to the guy who’s second-best to the Don.”

Victorious Strikers captain and Australian squad member Travis Head said he knew Maxwell was disappointed at being overlooked.