MELBOURNE: Contro­­versial all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has impressed Australia coach Darren Lehmann with his handling of criticism over some comments he made and may earn a recall in the third and final One-day International against New Zealand on Friday.

Maxwell was fined by his team-mates for ex­pres­sing his disappointment at batting lower down the order than he expected for his state side Victoria.

He also suggested that decision was because wicket-keeper, and Australian team-mate, Matthew Wade, was the state captain and choosing to bat ahead of him.

The 28-year-old was heavily criticised by former players and missed out on selection for the first two games of the New Zealand series, though Lehmann reiterated that was a balance issue rather than anything to do with his comments.

“He has been fantastic, full credit to him, the way he’s handled it and the way he’s been around the team,” Lehmann told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.

“We’ve named the team quite late both times ... and he’s missed out last minute and he’s handled that really well.

“I’m really pleased the way he’s gone about it, and I know the players are [at] the way he’s dealt with it.”

Lehmann added that Maxwell was a strong chance to play on his home track at the MCG.

Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood, who were both named earlier on Thursday for the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane next week, were unlikely to be rested for the dead-rubber game against New Zealand.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2016