Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has expressed his disappointment with the fact that he is forced to bat below wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade in this year Victoria's Sheffield Shield side, saying it is" a little bit painful at times."
Maxwell has his sights set on earning a place on Australia's Test tour of India in February-March, and he could be a feasible candidate if the selectors decide a fifth bowling option is required in the XI.
As captain of Bushrangers, the batting order is Wade's domain and as he is now back in the Test side, Maxwell's future remains decidedly uncertain, despite his fantastic first-class record.
Maxwell's first-class batting average of 39.92 stacks up well compared to several other batting candidates, although he has spent little time batting above No.6 and even has a first-class hundred from No.8. Wade's average, on the other hand, is 38 and although he has made nearly double the number of first-class hundreds, he's played more than double the number of matches.
"That's probably a little bit painful at times. I think probably batting below the wicketkeeper is also a bit painful as well," Maxwell was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
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"I think the wicketkeeper should be batting at seven unless you're trying to squeeze an extra bowler into your line-up. I've been just trying to bat wherever I can and trying to make as many runs as I can," he added. "I got a hundred from No. 8 for Victoria so there are always opportunities to get runs wherever you are in the order."
The 28-year-old is less worried about the impact of being playing down the order and is confident of forcing his way into the Test side again for tour against the current No. 1 ranked side.
"With my ambitions to play a Test series and with Australia playing so well last Test there's probably not going to be a whole heap of changes coming up. I'm looking more to the India series now having missed the boat for this Australian home summer. The way selections have gone I'm looking at the Indian Test series and focusing on that," he said.
"I'm just going to be trying to make as many runs and take as many wickets and show the different improvements I've made in batting and bowling," he added.
Australia would be playing four Test matches on their tour to India, starting February 23.
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