Maxwell vs Smith: Glenn Maxwell to clear things with skipper over training comments

Aussie all-rounder, Glenn Maxwell is all set to talk to his skipper, Steve Smith regarding his comments questioning the explosive batsman’s training practices. Maxwell was axed from the One-Day International squad, last week. With Chris Lynn injured, his chances of being recalled have significantly increased.

After being publicly criticized by the Aussie skipper, Maxwell spoke to the media on this issue for the first time. The right-handed batsman said that he is in great terms with Smith and will take his feedback in a positive way. Maxwell also stated that he intends to talk about this issue with his mate personally. Explaining Maxwell’s omission, Smith asked him to ditch the ‘funky’ stuff.

However, with Ricky Ponting taking up the assistant coach’s role, the legendary batsman announced that Maxwell is certainly the one to replace Chris Lynn who will miss the England series due to a calf injury. Lynn will hope to recover before the start of the T20 tri-series after the five ODI games against England.

Owing to a stunning knock for the Melbourne Stars, fans and most experts have called for Maxwell’s comeback into the ODI squad. He proved his form by smacking a 60 of 39 balls against the Adelaide Strikers at Oval. While lots of fans took to Twitter asking the selectors to pick the explosive batsman for the ODI series against the Englishmen, Ponting also backed Maxwell as the man to replace Lynn.

I’ll sit and talk to Smith says, Maxwell

The all-rounder also expressed that he knew what it is to make public inflammatory comments as he was fined for a similar cause, earlier in 2016. “I’ll address that with Steven personally. I’ll have a chat with him. I know what it’s like to say things in the media, for things to happen, I’m sure it was only good intentions behind it,”  he said talking to media.

“He’s only trying to get the best out of me as the Australian skipper. There’s not much you can say to the guy who’s second best to ‘The Don’. You’ve got to listen to him. I’ll be doing my best to get on his right side and do everything I can to play for Australia because that’s where I want to be playing,” he was quoted.

“I’ll sit down with Steve, hopefully when he gets to Melbourne, have a chat with him. We get along really well. We’ve got a good friendship. I’m sure we’ll be fine. I know that someone has to be a replacement for Lynny. I haven’t been thinking about it, that’s for sure. It hasn’t been my focus. My focus at the moment is to try and get Melbourne Stars’ their first win, and hopefully that gets us a little bit of momentum,” the star all-rounder added.

Maxwell should train harder: Smith

Earlier, Smith publicly criticized Maxwell’s training practices. The all-rounder last played an ODI last in India during Australia’s tour in September. “He could train a little bit smarter. We’ve all seen the way he can come out and play and do all his funky stuff and be pretty cool with that. But when he puts his head down he’s actually a really good batsman, as we’ve seen in Shield cricket. If he keeps his head switched on and trains really well and focuses on basic things, probably more than the expansive things, then I think that will help him have his consistency,” skipper Smith commented when asked about Maxwell’s omission.