Embattled Maxwell sets sights on Test spot

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell has conceded that batting below wicketkeeper Matthew Wade in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield side this year has been “a little bit painful”, especially with a potential Test recall on the cards. Maxwell has his sights set on winning a place on Australia’s Test tour of India in February-March, and he could be a viable candidate if the selectors decide a fifth bowling option is required in the XI.

Maxwell’s first-class batting average of 39.92 stacks up well compared to several other batting candidates, although he has spent little time batting above No.6 and even has a first-class hundred from No.8. Controversially left out of Victoria’s side for the first Shield round of the summer, Maxwell then found himself at No.6, behind keeper and captain Wade at No.5, and made 81 in his first innings of the campaign.

“That’s probably a little bit painful at times,” Maxwell said on Thursday in Sydney, where he is part of Australia’s squad for Sunday’s first ODI against New Zealand. “I think probably batting below the wicketkeeper is also a bit painful as well. I think the wicketkeeper should be batting at seven unless you’re trying to squeeze an extra bowler into your line-up.

“I’ve been just trying to bat wherever I can and trying to make as many runs as I can. I got a hundred from No.8 for Victoria so there is always opportunities to get runs wherever you are in the order but the way the Vics have been going you’re generally coming in trying to set a total up or trying to win the game with not many runs to get.”

When asked why he had batted below Wade, Maxwell said: “I think because he’s captain and he chooses the batting order. That’s my view …

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