Glenn Maxwell responds to Lehmann jibe

• He has a couple of snide remarks every now and again, doesnt mind having a dig at me, which is fine: Maxwell on Lehmann's comments.

• He knows I take it pretty well and I challenge him back. Its a good relationship we have: Maxwell on handling the criticism.

• Ive just got to make him pick me and then hopefully I can show him out in the field: Maxwell on proving his Test credentials.

"I had a chat to him yesterday and it?s all good," Maxwell said. © Getty

After Glenn Maxwell's wicket triggered an irrecoverable collapse during Victoria's clash against Queensland in the Matador Cup, Darren Lehmann, the Australian coach, was found questioning the all-rounder's appetite for big runs. Maxwell, however, had the perfect riposte to Lehmann's public message: a man of the match performance in the win against the Western Warriors. On a challenging batting surface, he scored a crucial 51 before chipping in with three scalps to take his side to a 36-run victory.

In the two-day red-ball training camp that was held in Sydney this week, Maxwell has hashed it out with Lehmann. "He does it a fair bit, doesnt he?
"I had a chat to him yesterday and its all good," Maxwell told Cricket Australia on Thursday (October 15). "He has a couple of snide remarks every now and again. He doesnt mind having a dig at me, which is fine.

"He knows I take it pretty well and I challenge him back. Its a good relationship we have. Hes always driving me to be better and he wants me to be playing all three formats.

"Its nice to be thought of that way. Ive just got to make him pick me and then hopefully I can show him out in the field," Maxwell added.

Maxwell was named in Australia's squad for the now postponed tour of Bangladesh after a good stint with red-ball cricket for Yorkshire. Showing great form in the County Championship, he finished with an average of 40.66. He believes that the Bangladesh series could have been a great opportunity to showcase the strides he has made in the longer format.

"I had some good form in England playing red-ball cricket," he said. "I feel like my red-ball game is really good at the moment, so its about getting the opportunity to actually play it and show people."
With the Australian selection panel's assurance of one-day form being taken into account when picking a squad for the first Test against New Zealand that is due to start on November 5, Maxwell is hopeful of making the squad. He has the chance to push his case with commanding performances over the next few weeks in the Sheild competition.

"Ive just got to make the most of that Shield game in Melbourne when we get back and just try to make as many runs as I can there and put my name up for the first Test.

"I dont really set too many goals as far as runs or anything like that. I just want to make sure Im contributing and trying to be the match-winner in every game Im playing. Thats my role in most of the teams I play. Its about trying to win the game for team and doing as well as I can."