Maxwell to clear the air with Smith

Glenn Maxwell says he believes Steve Smith "had the best intentions" when he commented on the axed ODI allrounder's training methods, and intends to sit down with the Australian captain this week to clear the air.

Maxwell was a surprise omission from Australia's original ODI squad, announced last week, with national selection panel member Trevor Hohns pointing to his recent mediocre returns in ODI cricket as the factor that cost him a place.

Australia captain Steve Smith then went a step further, suggesting Maxwell needed to "train a little bit smarter".

"Just looking at the way he trains, I think he could train a little bit smarter," Smith said last week. "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 – he's got some big runs there.

"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.

"If he's having those consistent performances he's certainly a person you want in your team."

Speaking after the Melbourne Stars' loss to the Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday night, Maxwell said he hoped to sit down and speak to Smith when the Australian captain arrives in Melbourne for Sunday's opening game of the Gillette ODI series.

"I'll address (those comments) with Steven personally, I'll have a chat with him," Maxwell said.

"I know what it's like to say things in the media. I'm sure there were only good intentions behind it.

"He's only trying to get the best out of me as the Australian skipper.

"There's not much you can say. I've got to listen to him and I'll be doing my best to get on his right side and do everything I can to play for Australia."

Maxwell, who scored a half-century against the Heat at the MCG last week, pushed his claims for an ODI return in Adelaide on Tuesday night, scoring a 39-ball 60 against the Strikers.

But the Melbourne Stars allrounder says he's not thinking too much about the possibility of an ODI recall – one week after he was axed – with Chris Lynn's injury leaving a vacancy in the one-day squad.

"I know it's a replacement for Lynny, but I haven't been thinking about it, that's for sure," Maxwell said.

"It hasn't been my focus. My focus at the moment is trying to get the Melbourne Stars to their first win."

The ODI against England will be played at the MCG on Sunday and Lynn's replacement is expected to be named shortly.

Maxwell has the backing of former Australia captain and new T20 assistance coach Ricky Ponting, who believes Maxwell is the man for the Lynn vacancy.

Maxwell, the Sheffield Shield's leading-run scorer entering the Big Bash break, has passed fifty in two of his past three BBL innings, and responded to Ponting's support when interviewed on the sideline following his entertaining knock.

"I certainly have hunger to get back in there, but my main job right now is to score runs for the Melbourne Stars and I'm trying to do that at the moment," the 29-year-old said.

"(Ponting is) an absolute legend, one of my childhood idols and someone I've always looked up to. So it's great to hear him supporting me."

Maxwell's form wasn't the only talking point for Channel 10's commentary team on Tuesday.

A slightly chilly Adelaide evening prompted Pete Handscomb to don a jumper for the match – one which proudly bore the name "Handcomb" on the back.

"We all noticed it straight away, don't worry about that," Maxwell said.

"It's a bit unlucky on Pete, he's been here since BBL|01 and they can't get his name right. That's a bit stiff.

"At least it wasn't spelt with an 'e', they didn't add another letter. I'm sure he gets it a lot."

Handscomb, another candidate for the ODI squad vacancy, was caught behind for one in the Stars' eight-wicket loss on Monday,

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21

2017-18 International Results

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test Match drawn. Scorecard

Fifth Test Australia win by an innings and 123 runs. Scorecard