Justin Langer will do "what's best for the team" regarding in-form batsman Glenn Maxwell's hopes of a promotion up the order in Australia's one-day side.
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Maxwell, demoted to No.7 during the home summer, has passed 50 just once in the past 17 ODI innings, with the allrounder noting earlier this week he is unsure if he'll even be selected in Australia's 15-man World Cup squad.
But Maxwell at his best, as he was at No.4 during an astonishing knock of 113 not out that delivered Australia a Twenty20 series victory over India in Bangalore, shapes as arguably Langer's most-potent trump card in Australia's World Cup defence.
The excitement machine, speaking after a timely reminder of why he is among the world's most-destructive batsmen, admitted he would like to bat higher up the order but was also content, confident and capable at No.7.
Langer's public response was terse.
"We'll wait and see," he said.
When asked if it's more likely Maxwell will ascend up the order if he extends his current form, having also top-scored in Australia's tour-opening T20 win in Vizag, the coach remained non-committal.
"We'll do what's best for the team I reckon, yeah. We'll see how we go," Langer said.
Langer declared last month that No.7 was the "perfect" position for Maxwell in the one-day team and, based on Thursday's comments, it seems he might still hold the same opinion.
Allan Border last month argued Maxwell was "wasted" at No.7.
"If an opportunity does come up (to bat higher), I'd love to take it," Maxwell said ahead of Saturday's ODI series opener in Hyderabad.
"It'd be nice to bat higher but there's obviously a lot of well-credentialed players in our top four and top five that thoroughly deserve their spot.
"I'm not too fazed ... even when I came in tonight, there were still 16 overs to bat and I was able to get a hundred so, even if I'm doing that at No.7 or No.6, it doesn't really matter.
"It's just about me making the most of opportunities when I do get them."
Langer was suitably impressed with the Victorian's 55-ball knock, in which he stoked seven fours and smacked nine sixes at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
"He played really well, didn't he? He'll be the first to say it - that's what we've been crying out for some time from him," Langer said.
"It just goes to show what he can do. When he does things like that, he elevates himself to a world-class performer."
Maxwell suggested there was no reason he can't replicate his dominance against the same opposition in the five-match ODI series.
Australian Associated Press
