Waugh surprised by Smith's statement

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh says he was surprised by Steve Smith’s public comments about Glenn Maxwell’s training attitude and that those strong messages could create a divide between skipper and player. 

Following Maxwell’s omission from Australia’s squad for the five-match Gillette ODI Series against England later this month, Smith said Maxwell could train “smarter” and advised focusing on the basics and ditching the “funky” shots.

But Waugh says that type of feedback should remain private and could have a negative impact on the relationship between the two players.

“I found it all a bit strange,” Waugh told cricket.com.au at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

“There must have been a reason why Steve Smith said that but I’m not sure it needs to be a public comment.

“I was a big believer in praise in public and criticise in private and I think that’s a good way to go.

“As soon as you make a statement like that it does put a split between you and the player and it’s a pretty personal sort of comment that he’s not training hard which suggests he’s not professional.

“I think that tough comment is better off (being said) one-on-one rather than out there in the public environment, which it is now.

“I was a little bit surprised he made such a strong statement in public.”

When asked what Waugh wanted out of his players at practice, he just wanted his charges training smartly.

“It didn’t have to be for a long time but players were getting something out of the session,” Waugh said.

“Looking to improve their game was always quality over quantity, so it didn’t matter how long you trained as long as you trained with some purpose, some intent and looking to improve your game.”