Glenn Maxwell set to be left out, Australia aim for series win vs New Zealand

Glenn Maxwell, who was fined for his comments against Matthew Wade and left out of the Sydney ODI, could find himself warming the bench for the second ODI against New Zealand in Canberra.

Glenn Maxwell, who was omitted from the Australian playing XI in controversial circumstances for the first ODI in Sydney, might warm the bench again as Australia look to seal the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand in Canberra on Tuesday.

Glenn Maxwell might not feature in the second ODI against New Zealand in Canberra as Australia push for a series win. (AP)

Australia, who were whitewashed 5-0 in the ODI series against South Africa, coasted to a 68-run victory in Sydney on Sunday, with captain Steve Smith scoring a record 164 and combining in a 127-run partnership with all-rounder Travis Head (52).

Maxwell, however, was not selected for the game and was fined by the team for comments he made beforehand to express how “painful” it had been for him to bat behind wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for Victoria.

Highlights

Glenn Maxwell was not selected for the ODI series against South Africa and Sri Lanka

Glenn Maxwell was left out of the Victoria squad for the match against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield

Steven Smith equalled Ricky Ponting’s mark of highest individual ODI score as captain in Sydney

The team’s performance on Sunday, ending a five-match losing streak in the one-day format, probably meant that Maxwell could again find himself on the outer, which Head suggested.

“When you win like we did yesterday, I’m not expecting it to change too much,” Head told reporters in Canberra on Monday. “(But) it’s not my job to do that. I get told where I’m put and try to perform.”

Head said despite his own role in the victory and having played 13 of the side’s 16 one-dayers since his debut against West Indies in June, he was taking nothing for granted, especially since he and Maxwell were both off-spinning all-rounders.

“The pressure is always on in the side. In any Australian cricket side, you’ve probably got five guys that are banging down the door that aren’t in the squad,” Head added.

“The competition for spots is always on. And when you’re in the side, it’s equally as hard to stay in it. You have to be performing, but I am definitely not feeling comfortable. I’m happy with the performance but was disappointed to have got out and done all that hard work having got to 50 and helped build that partnership.

“If I can keep performing then I can stay in the side and that’s what I hope to do.”