India vs Australia | Glen Maxwell is important for World Cup, asserts Justin Langer

There has been a lot of discussion about Maxwell’s batting position as the all-rounder came out to bat lower down the order at No. 7 in the first two ODIs against India in the ongoing series. In the second game, which the hosts lost by six wickets, Maxwell scored 48 off 37 and also picked up the important wicket of Ambati Rayudu to break the dangerous-looking partnership.

Coach Langer has backed the decision of making the 30-year-old bat lower down the order and he is of the opinion that the latter is a crucial part of the Australian team’s preparations for the World Cup. 

"Maxy will be a very important part of our team if we're to win the World Cup. Honestly think, despite the debate, that [No. 7] is his best spot in our team for us at the moment and we'll flick him in (earlier) every now and then when we need a little cameo," Langer said after the Adelaide ODI, reported Cricbuzz. 

"We haven't had the success we'd like to and we're trying different things. And for me, Maxi, he's probably the best fielder in the world, we love it, it's contagious his energy. He has been captain of the (Melbourne) Stars, he has got good leadership qualities as well. So if he can come in and put the finishing touches on like he does, it's always a nervous time for an opposition (when) you still know you have got a Glenn Maxwell or a Mike Hussey coming in down at seven.”

Maxwell is one of the most aggressive batsmen in the Aussie line-up and Langer has underlined the fact that his finishing touches will be crucial for the team whenever there is a requirement from the Victoria all-rounder who has a brilliant strike-rate of 121.48 in the 50-over format.  

"I remember the days when Michael Clarke used to bat seven and Michael Hussey used to bat seven. I used to muck around with Huss saying, 'mate, you have got the best job in the world, you never bat, you get paid a fortune but you never bat because the team is going so well. But when Maxi can come in and put the finishing touches on like he does, for me it's the perfect position," the Aussie coach explained. 

Virat Kohli’s hundred and MS Dhoni’s half-century took India to a six-wicket victory in the second game of the series and with that, the visitors have levelled the three-match series. Langer hailed the opposition players especially skipper Kohli and Dhoni and said that it is a good experience for his side to play against the Men in Blue. 

"It's incredible experience for our team to play against India. To watch Virat and then MS do what he did at the end, it's just a brilliant tutorial for our young batters. Class always comes to the top, so we must respect that. The way that Virat and MS batted today - you hate losing, but when you see that it's amazing and it's why they're such great players. We'll gain great experience from it, and in big tournaments like the World Cup (starting in the UK next June), I like to see our guys under pressure like they were tonight,” the former opener said. 

"We'll be much better for the experience, and it's still one-all in the series so that means it's alive and well."

Langer was happy with the performance that Shaun Marsh put up in the middle-order for the hosts. Marsh scored his seventh ODI hundred and was instrumental in ensuring a good score by the Aussies as they batted first in Adelaide. However, Aaron Finch has not been doing well and his form is a cause of concern for the Australians. Being the captain of the team, Finch has scores of six each in the first two games of the ongoing series. 

"He's turning into a great one-day international player. I'm also really proud of the way (he's responded) after not being selected for the next Test series against Sri Lanka. With that pressure, a lot of guys can shrivel up, but he hasn't, he's stood tall. He's working really hard, he's had a couple of good innings now. I'm really proud of Shaun, he'll be a big part of our World Cup campaign,” mentioned Langer.

"There's not a lot of players who play all three forms of the game now. This is brand new territory for him. He's playing all three forms of the game, he's also captain of the white ball teams, playing Test cricket. He won't be far off. When he gets going, he scores hundreds. He's working so hard on it, he just needs a few breaks. Every now and then you need a little break, and he'll be away again."

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