Spotlight still focused on improved Maxwell

Melbourne Stars dynamo Glenn Maxwell is in the form of his life but he's not going to count his chickens when it comes to representing Australia in cricket's longer formats.

Maxwell celebrated his inclusion in Australia's squad for the Gillette T20 international tri-series against New Zealand and England with a brave and brutal 84 from 47 balls in the Stars' five-wicket loss to Sydney Sixers at the SCG last night.

While the 29-year-old has piled on the runs this summer to be the JLT Sheffield Shield's leading run-scorer and the Stars' most productive batsman, Maxwell was overlooked for Australia's ODI squad to face England and the four-Test Qantas Tour of South Africa that begins in March.

So while the runs are flowing, the 29-year-old is going to play what's in front of him and not premeditate what might happen in terms of higher honours down the track.

"I'm not going to think too far ahead," Maxwell said. "I've done really well this summer only staying in my bubble and concentrating on making runs. That's worked for me so far this summer.

He added: "I'm really looking forward to pulling on that Australian shirt again and being able to represent my country.

"It's always a huge honour to get the opportunity to represent your country in whatever format."

At the same time Maxwell has been thrashing the white ball around in the KFC Big Bash League, Australia's one-day international side has been totally outclassed by England.

The tourists have taken an unassailable three-nil series lead by playing ultra-aggressive cricket that has become the new benchmark in the 50-over game.

While Maxwell's previous 20 ODIs – in which he's averaged 22 – were highlighted as the reason he wasn't selected for the series, the dynamic Victorian appears to have moved into the form of his life, making a mockery of those numbers and restating his strong case for selection. And as he pointed out, the statistics from that period do not tell the full story.

"I feel like I've changed a little bit over the last period of time, where I'm able to work my way through situations instead of 'Go ahead and blast it'," he said.

"Looking back at the India ODIs (last September) I didn't have the chance to show that.

"The first game turned out to be a T20 and I came in and we needed 13 an over.

"The game before I got dropped I was sent in with six overs to go. It wasn't exactly time to rebuild and work through an innings.

"I feel confident about my game at the moment. I'm hitting the ball well, I'm working my way through situations a lot better and I'm picking my areas a lot smarter."