Renewed confidence making Maxwell smart

Glenn Maxwell says he's learnt to "bat smarter" and World Cup-winning skipper Allan Border says the middle-order maestro has the ability to be Australia's hero at the 2015 tournament.

Maxwell was praised by Aaron Finch for his level-headed approach in the opening stages of his innings before he showcased his explosive ability in accelerating to 66 against England in Australia's Cup-opening 111-run victory at the MCG last Saturday.

While the performances of middle-order men David Miller (South Africa), James Taylor (England) and Lendl Simmons (West Indies) have impressed Border, he said he believed it is Maxwell who has the potential to dazzle and dominate in this tournament.

"When he's on, he just wins you games, it's as simple as that," Border told cricket.com.au.

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Maxwell said he felt in career-best form and understood his game better than ever before.

"It's about understanding my role now and having that confidence to catch up (on the strike-rate) later on," he explained.

"That confidence wasn't there a couple of months ago. Now it seems to be right back where it should be for international standards.

"I'm feeling really good about the game and hopefully I can keep doing the job."

Maxwell hit a low point towards the end of 2014; a disappointing return after his surprise selection as Australia's Test No.3 in Abu Dhabi and the sudden death of his close mate Phillip Hughes sent him into a funk he struggled to get out of.

It culminated in his bizarre dismissal for the Melbourne Stars in the KFC T20 Big Bash League that saw him advance down the pitch but leave his first delivery only to watch it crash into his stumps.

Maxwell opened up on his travails to cricket.com.au last month, saying he had endured "probably the worst two months of my life" before emerging with a century in the Prime Minister's XI game against England to kick-start a run of form.

Maxwell made a blazing hundred against England last month

After last weekend's victory over England, where Maxwell hit 66 from 40 balls to fire Australia's late-innings charge to 342, century maker Finch was full of praise for his Victorian teammate.

"He's playing smart cricket, which can't always be said for his game at times, and I think he would say that (also)," Finch said.

"There's times when he makes some poor choices but over the last little while he's made some great choices, he's given himself a chance to get into an innings.

"The damage that he can do is unbelievable. And when you've got a guy who can field as well as he can do, and is handy with the ball, it's a pretty special package to have."

Maxwell conceded his close mate and sparring partner Finch was "pretty spot on" with his assessment.

"It's probably the best I've hit the ball," Maxwell said of his form. "As Finchy said, I'm batting a lot smarter at the moment. Hopefully the brain keeps ticking along and I can keep doing that job."

Border said he has long been among the legion of Glenn Maxwell fans and, with a front-row seat to the action as a member of the Fox Sports team covering the World Cup, is backing his man to continue his hot streak.

"I like what he brings to the table: the power game, he backs his ability and just goes for his shots," he added.

"He's a very talented kid. That's why it's frustrating sometimes because you know what talent he's got, you just want him to give himself a bit more time to show it.

"That's what you get sometimes with those types of players, you've got to take the good with the bad.

"I wouldn't be putting a harness on him too much. He'll learn as he plays more cricket, what he can and can't do in different situations."