Maxwell not keen on ‘X factor’ label

GLENN Maxwell is tired of people harking back to his explosive power-hitting in limited overs cricket and wants to be recognised for his more measured form as he fights to secure Australia’s No 6 batting spot for the Ashes series.

The 29-year-old off-spinning all-rounder scored two halfcenturies in Victoria’s recent Sheffield Shield match against South Australia.

“I think [selectors] made it pretty clear that they wanted the top six batters in the country and I want to put my hand up and be one of them,” Maxwell said in Melbourne yesterday.

“I feel like I’m starting ahead of the pack because I played the last test and I think I was undefeated.”

While former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne said he would select Maxwell for the first test against England in Brisbane because he had the “X factor”, Maxwell did not want to be viewed as unpredictable.

“I’m not talking about the word ‘X factor’ again,” he said.