London [UK], Dec. 5 : Mercurial Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will be available for the second ODI of the ongoing Chapell-Hadlee series against New Zealand to be played in Canberra on Tuesday, said skipper Steve Smith.
Maxwell, who was sanctioned an undisclosed amount by the team leadership group following his recent comments about Bushrangers teammate and captain Matthew Wade, was controversially looked over for the series opener at the SCG on Sunday, which Australia won by 68 runs.
During the SCG match, there was an awkward moment when Maxwell was made to run out the water to Wade during the wicketkeeper's slashing of 38 off 22 during the first innings.
Maxwell was injected into the game as a substitute fielder, the match through which Aussies broke a five-ODI game losing streak.
Maxwell, who was dropped for this year's tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa, faces a daunting task to make a comeback, especially now with Travis Head made full use of the opportunity provided and scored a vital half century in the Sydney ODI.
However, the Australian skipper reiterated the point he made before the game that the controversy had not affected his chances of selection, adding they simply decided to go with Head.
"It was more about giving Travis another opportunity. I think he played well last week. He scored 100 in Shield cricket so he's in good nick," Smith was quoted as saying by the Guardian. "He played pretty well today so he's taken that opportunity." "I think they're OK. I made some comments the other day about the comments he made were disappointing and disrespectful towards Matty and we've moved on from that now," Smith said when asked if everything was OK between Wade and Maxwell.
The mercurial all-rounder had last week expressed his disappointment with the fact that he is forced to bat below Wade in this year Victoria's Sheffield Shield side, saying it is " a little bit painful at times." "That's probably a little bit painful at times.
I think probably batting below the wicketkeeper is also a bit painful as well," Maxwell had said. "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 are always opportunities to get runs wherever you are in the order," he added.
Source: ANI
