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The stark difference between Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell

4th December, 2016
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Glenn Maxwell has a different path to the Test side than Matt Hayden ever did. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Expert
4th December, 2016
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The difference is crystal clear – Steve Smith’s first priority is what’s best for the team, while Glenn Maxwell’s priority is what’s best for Glenn Maxwell.

The last week again proved the difference with Maxwell having a brain explosion, accusing his Victorian captain Matthew Wade of batting ahead of him, costing him a chance of making the Test team in Adelaide.

Delusional.

For starters, Maxwell had none and Buckley’s of selection, as Australian coach and selector Darren Lehmann rightfully explained – “How do you pick a batsman who hasn’t scored a first-class century in two years?”

Worse than that, Maxwell’s ill-conceived anti-Wade snipe cost him a fine from the Australian ODI leadership group of Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for showing disrespect to a teammate and damaging team harmony.

Whatever the fine was would be small beer for a petty thinking “me, me, me” Maxwell who banks over a million bucks every IPL tournament.

Therein lies the problem, which Wade kick-started three years ago by tabbing Maxwell the “Big Show,” and the image has been magnified by various cricket writers who describe Maxwell as an “endearing” character, who is “refreshingly” honest.

Heaven help us.

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Even Mitchell Johnson, who should know better as a former senior in the Australian team, tweeted – ‘A fine, really!! Should be batting in front of a wicket-keeper considering he is a batsman right?”

Wrong.

With so many public figures throwing support behind Maxwell, he could be forgiven for thinking he’s the entertainer the cricket world is longing for, the second coming, and the Messiah.

Glenn Maxwell TALL

Wrong again.

The truth is Glenn Maxwell is a cowboy who plays low percentage shots. While he continues to play risky shots and fails, he will not be in the Australian team.

Yesterday Maxwell was left out, and Australian romped home by 68 over the Kiwis on the back of Steve Smith’s career-best 164, the highest ODI scored at the SCG, and the equal sixth highest Australian in history with Ricky Ponting behind Matt Hayden’s 181*, David Warner’s 178, Mark Waugh and Warner’s 173, and Adam Gilchrist’s 172.

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The blinkered supporters keep recalling Maxwell’s blistering 102 off 53 with 10 fours and four sixes against Sri Lanka last year.

That was 18 digs ago. He’s averaged 30.57 since.

But in his last eight digs he’s averaged just 14.28.

When will those supporters begin to realise Glenn Maxwell isn’t the entertainer, the second coming, nor the Messiah?

He’s a very talented cricketer who will never ever realise his potential until he thinks of his team first, and himself last.

Which brings up the question of Maxwell leaving the Vics and playing for NSW after the dramas of last week.

Maxwell tried that in May, but because he didn’t do his homework, the April window to switch states had expired.

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The Vics didn’t block his decision, he blocked himself through stupidity.

In the light of what happened last week, there’s no way Smith, Warner, and Hazlewood, three justifiably proud New South Welshman, would want a loose cannon like Maxwell wearing the light blue.

The message is loud and clear to Maxwell from the people who count – shape up, or ship out.

The decision exclusively belongs to Glenn Maxwell.

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