Glenn Maxwell relishing opportunity to work with ‘his idol’ Ricky Ponting

Glenn Maxwell is trying to ‘keep it cool’ when he speaks with Australia’s World Cup assistant coach Ricky Ponting but admits that the super fan inside him is losing his mind.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Glenn Maxwell of Australia plays a shot during the Cricket World Cup One Day Practice Match between Australia and New Zealand at Allan Border Field on May 10, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Glenn Maxwell says he “really clicks” with Ricky Ponting with the World Cup assistant coach Australia’s secret to unlocking Maxwell’s electrifying best.

Captain Aaron Finch noted his players behaved like “eight-year-old girls around Justin Bieber” in Ponting’s presence and Maxwell said that’s because “you hang off every word he says”.

“I think Finchy was pretty spot on,” Maxwell said.

“Punter was my childhood idol. It’s good to have him back. I saw him at breakfast and tried to keep it cool and just said, ‘G’day Rick,’ but inside I was jumping for joy.

“It’s good to see him. I got a few throwdowns from him before which was nice and just even talking to him about batting, it’s so relaxing.”

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Maxwell is set to play as the sole allrounder against West Indies in Wednesday’s unofficial practice match (7.30pm AEST) with Marcus Stoinis understood to have missed selection.

Maxwell and three-time World Cup champion Ponting were teammates at Surrey in 2013 and have remained close ever since.

Glenn Maxwell is in awe of Ricky Ponting

Ponting, who coaches Delhi in the Indian Premier League, purchased Maxwell for $1.7 million last year amid a declaration he could make it as a Test player.

“I actually think I can bring the best out of him,” Ponting told the Herald Sun at the time.

“He’s got huge talents and huge potential. He knows I’ve got his back.”

Maxwell skipped last month’s IPL to play County Cricket in England in a boost to his hopes of winning the World Cup and making the Ashes squad.

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“It was quite a big decision, but in the long run I’d rather be a two-time World Cup-winning player than a rich player without it,” Maxwell said.

Ponting linked up with Australia in Southampton on Monday, where he closely observed Steve Smith at training.

Like Finch and Maxwell, Ponting is a “cricket nuffie” who cannot stop talking about the game.

“He’s been really good for me and even stretching back to our time together at Surrey in 2013,” Maxwell said.

Many believe that Ponting will be Australia’s secret to unlocking Maxwell’s electrifying best.

“Even things like going out for dinner and talking about the game. He’s someone who just loves to talk about the game and talk about the tactics.

“I just found someone who I really click with. You need those guys around the coaching circles and he’s certainly one guy I rest on.”

Maxwell tipped massive scores in the Windies practice match, given it will be staged on a tiny oval where the 17th hole of the neighbouring golf course is separated by just a brown picket fence.

“We were trying to liken the ground to a size in Australia,” Maxwell said.

“It’s sort of the same size as Hurstville – where D’Arcy Short (made 257 off 148). There’s been some big scores at Hurstville and I think we might see another one (against Chris Gayle’s West Indies).”

Australia's David Warner and Glenn Maxwell during a World Cup cricket warm-up match \

WARNER AND SMITH HAVE DONE THEIR TIME

Steve Smith and David Warner have “done their time” with Maxwell urging the cricket world to finally move on from the ball-tampering saga.

Smith and Warner will represent Australia for the first time overseas since their 12-month suspensions when they bat against West Indies in Wednesday’s unofficial practice match (7.30pm AEST).

Maxwell said their returns had been seamless, partly because they had exchanged text messages since the events at Cape Town last March.

“It’s been fine. It’s not like they’ve dropped off the face of the earth over the last 12 months, we’ve all still been in contact with them via text when you catch up with them at different times,” Maxwell said.

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“They haven’t exactly been disappearing acts the last 12 months, they’ve been around. It’s great to have them back in the team, they’re World Cup-winners, they’re experienced, they’re known world-class performers and we’re looking forward to having them back in our line-up and them winning games for us.”

Asked if Smith and Warner needed to apologise before they could be accepted by their teammates, Maxwell said: “Well they’ve served their 12 months, they’ve done their time.

“I think they’ve well and truly paid their dues, that’s for sure.

“It’s time for us and everyone to move on and concentrate on what we’ve got right now and that’s a World Cup closely followed by an Ashes.

“There’s a lot of things to concentrate on now so there’s no point worrying about what happened 12 months ago.”