Glenn Maxwell’s weakness exposed by batting blow in the nets

Justin Langer had only just finished talking about Glenn Maxwell’s vulnerability against the short ball when he was struck by Mitchell Starc thunderbolt.

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Justin Langer said Glenn Maxwell had to “work really hard” on his weakness against short balls just one hour before a Mitchell Starc bouncer put the all-rounder in hospital.

While X-rays cleared Maxwell of serious damage to his right arm, the weakness was laid bare by former great Andrew Symonds and then accepted by Langer.

“Maxi works really hard on that area, he has to work really hard on that area,” Langer said, responding to Symonds’ comments.

“He's so good against spin bowling, he's so good against medium pace bowling – and you see it when he comes out to bat, they don't bowl much spin, they don't bowl much medium pace – they bring their fast bowlers back on.

Glenn Maxwell copped a nasty blow in the nets and is in doubt for the clash with South Africa. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

“He's aware of that and he's working hard to remedy that.”

 Langer threw Maxwell up to No.4 against Pakistan to cash in against its part-time off-spinners and, while Maxwell smashed 20 runs off eight balls, he was then dismissed as soon quick Shaheen Shah Afridi returned.

Maxwell is in doubt for the clash against South Africa and Symonds said short balls were “definitely a bit of a problem for him”.

 But Langer said the Maxwell package was a winner.

 “He hasn't got the runs in this World Cup but we love what he brings to the group,” Langer said.

Shaun Marsh has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

 “He brings energy to every contest, whether it’s his fielding, whether it’s his bowling, whether it's in the changeroom.

“The thing that distinguishes Maxi from everyone else is his incredible strike-rate.

 “His average is 30 compared to Virat Kohli's who is 60 – Virat Kohli is a great player, but because of that strike-rate, it gives him something different to most players in the world.”

 Maxwell’s strike-rate at the World Cup is 190.7, which is miles ahead of India’s Hardik Pandya (138.5) at No.2.

 Captain and best mate Aaron Finch suspected, like Symonds, that Maxwell would get targeted.

 “If people are talking about it then obviously opposition are talking about it as well,” Finch said.

“I know he still prepares well for it … sometimes you just get out the same way a couple of times.”