No room for miffed Maxwell in Canberra ODI

CONTROVERSIAL ALL-ROUNDER Glenn Maxwell could still find himself on the outer in Australia's second one-day international against New Zealand on Tuesday. Darren Lehmann's embattled side coasted to a 68run victory against the visitors in the first game in Sydney on Sunday, with captain Steve Smith scoring 164 and combining in a 127-run partnership with all-rounder Travis Head (52).

Maxwell, however, was not selected for the game and was fined by the team for comments he made beforehand to express how "painful" it had been for him to bat behind wicketkeeper Wade for Victoria.

The team's performance on Sunday, ending a five-match losing streak in the one-day format, probably meant that Maxwell could again find himself on the outer, which Head suggested. “When you win like we did yesterday, I'm not expecting it to change too much,” Head told reporters in Canberra on Monday. “(But) it's not my job to do that. I get told where I'm put and try to perform.”

Head said despite his own role in the victory and having played 13 of the side's 16 onedayers since his debut against West Indies in June, he was taking nothing for granted, especially since he and Maxwell were both offspinning all-rounders.

“The pressure is always on in the side. In any Australian cricket side, you've probably got five guys that are banging down the door that aren't in the squad,” Head added. “The competition for spots is always on. And when you're in the side, it's equally as hard to stay in it. You have to be performing, but I am definitely not feeling comfortable. I'm happy with the performance but was disappointed to have got out and done all that hard work having got to 50 and helped build that partnership. If I can keep performing then I can stay in the side and that's what I hope to do.”

NZ batsmen seek revival

Aggressivebatsmancolinmunromayhave givenaninsightintonewzealand'sbattingorder tactics after they created a debate on Monday following their 68-run loss to Australia in the first one-day international in Sydney. Munro, whose strike rate in limited overs cricket is among the highest in the New Zealand team, did not come in until number six and anchored the middle order on Sunday, scoring 49 runs from 59 balls before becoming the ninth wicket to fall.

“It was a different sort of knock than I am used to playing,” said the 29-year-old, who is more well known as a power-hitter, having scored 50 runs from 16 balls in a Twenty20 international last year. “Given that role to take it deeper into the innings suits my game and hopefully with a few extra batters around me ... I might be able to have a bit of a hit.”

In effect Munro has taken over the role occupied by Ross Taylor, who is out for up to six weeks having undergone eye surgery last week.

Taylor,whocantakeanyattackapartwhen at his best, has been more circumspect from hisnumberfourbattingpositioninrecentseasons,tickingtheboardoverandsettinghisside up for a final assault in the final 10 overs.

Hesson defends Smith reprieve

The decision not to review a leg before wicket appeal on Australia's captain Steve Smith was the right one at the time as there wassignificantdoubtfromevenpeopleoffthe field,newzealandcoachmikehessonhassaid. Smithwason14whenhewastrappedinfront by Trent Boult, who was convinced he had struck a major blow to Australia's innings in the first one-day international in Sydney on Sunday. The appeal, however, was turned down by umpire Mick Martell and New Zealandcaptainkanewilliamsonchosenotto review.