backing myself to play this week but it wasnt the smart thing to d

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell has conceded that batting below wicketkeeper Matthew Wade in Victorias Sheffield Shield side this year has been a little bit painful, especially with a potential Test recall on the cards. Maxwell has his sights set on winning a place on Australias Test tour of India in February-March, and he could be a viable candidate if the selectors decide a fifth bowling option is required in the XI.Maxwells first-class batting average of 39.92 stacks up well compared to several other batting candidates, although he has spent little time batting above No.6 and even has a first-class hundred from No.8. Controversially left out of Victorias side for the first Shield round of the summer, Maxwell then found himself at No.6, behind keeper and captain Wade at No.5, and made 81 in his first innings of the campaign.Thats probably a little bit painful at times, Maxwell said on Thursday in Sydney, where he is part of Australias squad for Sundays first ODI against New Zealand. I think probably batting below the wicketkeeper is also a bit painful as well. I think the wicketkeeper should be batting at seven unless youre trying to squeeze an extra bowler into your line-up.Ive been just trying to bat wherever I can and trying to make as many runs as I can. I got a hundred from No.8 for Victoria so there is always opportunities to get runs wherever you are in the order but the way the Vics have been going youre generally coming in trying to set a total up or trying to win the game with not many runs to get.When asked why he had batted below Wade, Maxwell said: I think because hes captain and he chooses the batting order. Thats my view on it.Wade was recalled to Australias side for the Adelaide Test against South Africa and Maxwell, under the captaincy of Cameron White, moved up to No.4 in the most recent Shield game against South Australia. He had also been bumped up to No.3 in the second innings against New South Wales in a round that was effectively a Test audition, and fell for 3 trying to help Victoria gain quick runs to set a target.Everything I did in that game was trying to make sure we won the game, Maxwell said. In the second innings, going out there and getting told team up, there was no way I was going for a not out. I know theres a lot of other cricketers who probably would have poked around and tried to get the not out. Thats not the way I play.It has been an up-and-down year for Maxwell, who in January was named Australias ODI Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal ceremony, yet lost his place in the one-day side on the mid-year tour of West Indies and then his place in the squad for the ODI series in Sri Lanka. However, he was part of the T20 squad in Sri Lanka and struck an outrageous 145 not out in the first game.Preparing for the home summer, Maxwell said he had worked on some technical and mental aspects of his game, notably in an effort to start his innings more steadily and reduce the risk of throwing it away early. He said he was disappointed not to have been picked for the Adelaide Test, where Nic Maddinson slotted in to the No.6 position on debut, but was eyeing off the India tour next year as his next Test goal.I thought I might have been a chance, Maxwell said of the Adelaide Test. I thought the way I batted in my first game back, at the MCG against the reverse-swinging ball against Queensland, I thought that was a really good sign of the improvements Ive made in my defence, in my technique, in the way I leave the ball. I thought that was a really good sign of the work that Id done over the last couple of months. I know one score probably doesnt show it enough.To not get picked was a little bit disappointing. But as I said there are plenty of Tests on the radar. Theyve made it quite clear the direction theyre going to try and go. In saying that they picked an absolute gem in Peter Handscomb and he played absolutely beautifully. Unfortunately for Maddo he came out at probably the toughest time to bat which was against Rabada bowling 145 and above, under lights and swinging the ball.Being part of the squad for the three-match Chappell-Hadlee Series means Maxwell will not be playing in the Shield for Victoria next week in a pink-ball day-night game against Tasmania in Hobart. However, Maxwell said he would have been more concerned had he been missing a Shield game on a turning wicket at the SCG.Im looking more to the India series now having missed the boat for this Australian home summer, with the way that selections have gone, he said. Whether that comes from white-ball cricket or any sort of cricket Im playing, whether they come down and watch me at Fitzroy-Doncaster and see how Im going in club cricket it doesnt matter. Cheap Swell Bottles . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Swell Bottles Australia .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. http://www.swellbottleaustralia.com/s-well-traveler-bottle-australia.html .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. Swell Water Bottle Sale 17 Oz . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play. sWell Bottle Wood Australia Stockists . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Canberras NRL title quest has received a boost with five-eighth Blake Austin set to return from a broken hand next week.Austin on Tuesday resumed running with the side just over two weeks after fracturing two fingers and having two plates surgically implanted following a training mishap in which he was manhandled by Paul Vaughan.The sight of Austin running and passing with the side set off rumours he was set to be a surprise inclusion for Saturdays qualifying final against Cronulla.And while Austin said he wanted to turn out at Canberra Stadium for week one of the finals, he was told by his surgeon to cool his heels.Instead Austin told AAP he was confident of being back for his sides next clash, which will either be next week or in a fortnight, depending on their result against the Sharks.I was twisting (the surgeons) arm about returning this week, Austin said at the Fox Sports launch of the NRL finals on Thursday.I was backing myself to play this week but it wasnt the smart thing to do.Ill just have to sit back and watch and whether its next week or the week after, Id be confident that I could play.AAustin was full of praise for his fill-in Sam Williams, who didnt miss a beat in Sundays 52-10 smashing of the Wests Tigers.ddddddddddddStuck behind Austin and Aidan Sezer in the Raiders pecking order, Williams has spent most of the season in reserve grade.Williams is off contract at the end of this year and Austin said rival clubs would be foolish not to try to sign him.Hes starting half quality and hes in a spot where hes spent most of the season in premier league, Austin said.Im sure hed compliment a lot of teams. Whether he sticks around at the Raiders or moves on, I think clubs would be silly not to have a look at him.Austin revealed he was injured trying to take on 110kg prop Vaughan in a wrestling drill, only to be tossed around like a rag doll.We were wrestling on the mats and I came in to tackle big Paul Vaughan and he threw me off pretty easily and a few of the boys giggled, Austin said.As Im falling, I put my hand out, I got my fingers caught in the wrong spot. ' ' '