Maxwell keen to shed ‘X-factor’ label

Glenn Maxwell is tired of people harking back to his explosive power hitting in limitedovers cricket and says he 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 offspinning all-rounder scored two half-centuries in Victoria’s recent Sheffield Shield match against South Australia and while he was annoyed at failing to convert them to centuries he was happy with his approach.

“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 told reporters in Melbourne.

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

“Even if it was in a different country, I feel like I batted quite well and I showed some really good signs.”

While former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne said in September he would select Maxwell for the first Test against England in Brisbane starting on Nov. 23 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,” Maxwell said.

“I have ability to score quickly at stages but I think the way I’ve been playing recently, I’ve been more concentrating on just playing good cricket shots and making sure that I’m there for a longer period of time.

“Hopefully that holds me in good stead.”