Ricky Ponting believes he can get the best out of Glenn Maxwell, who is still a Test quality batsman

RICKY Ponting targeted Glenn Maxwell in the Indian Premier League auction with the belief he is the coach who can unlock the electrifying batsman’s tantalising potential.

Glenn Maxwell in action for Australia.

RICKY Ponting targeted Glenn Maxwell with a seven-figure price tag at the Indian Premier League auction with the belief he is the coach who can unlock the electrifying batsman’s tantalising potential.

Ponting’s Delhi Daredevils paid $1.7 million for Maxwell at last week’s player auction and the Australian legend backed Maxwell to win back his place in the Test team.

Ponting has long been a huge believer in Maxwell and said his dominant Sheffield Shield form showed he had the hallmarks of a Test batsman.

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Maxwell, 29, was marked a “high priority” by Ponting’s IPL franchise.

“One of the main reasons I picked him up in the auction is I actually think I can bring the best out of him,” Ponting told the Herald Sun.

“He’s got huge talents and huge potential. We put together a flowchart during the auction groups as to who we’d target and how much money we’d have at certain guys.

Glenn Maxwell in action for Australia’s ODI team.

Glenn Maxwell in action during the third Test against India.

“Thankfully Glenn came out nice and early in the second group and we still had our whole salary cap there waiting.

“And so I got into a bit of a bidding war with Tom Moody at the Sunrisers actually. We ended up with him and I was really happy.”

Ponting forked over the cash for the opportunity to help repair a career at the crossroads.

Maxwell was dumped from the Test and ODI squads this summer despite striking career-best form in the Sheffield Shield and Big Bash.

Maxwell’s 590 Sheffield Shield runs at an average of 73.8 rank No.1 and he boasted the fifth-best strike-rate in the BBL, posting three half-centuries for Melbourne Stars.

The enigmatic all-rounder won a belated call-up to Australia’s ODI squad when Aaron Finch tore a hamstring and played the final game of the 4-1 series loss to England.

Maxwell has worked on tightening his defence and batting with a calmer temperament this summer.

“I’m able to work my way through situations instead of going and blasting it,” he said.

Delhi coach Ricky Ponting with IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla and Mumbai Indians co-owner Akash Ambani.

“I feel confident. 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.”

Ponting laid down the expectations to his high-priced recruit,

“I know he can win a lot of games,” Ponting said.

“I’ve been pretty close to (Maxwell) for a few years and I think I know how to get the best.

“I think he’s already turned a bit of a corner. He knows I’ve got his back, but he also knows what my expectations are of him through the next few months.”

Maxwell is desperate to wear the Baggy Green at home after playing his seven Test matches abroad and facing the chop on the cusp of the Ashes series.

“He’s got that red-ball ability as well,” Ponting said.

“It wasn’t that long ago he was making a Test hundred for Australia in the subcontinent.”

“That talent is there, he’s just got to harness it.”

Originally published as Ricky Ponting believes he can get the best out of Glenn Maxwell, who is still a Test quality batsman