Kevin Pietersen’s high praise for Glenn Maxwell

Former superstar Kevin Pietersen says he once had ‘harsh words’ with Glen Maxwell about his approach to the game but wishes he was ‘half as good’ as the Australian big hitter.

Glenn Maxwell in action for Australia in their warm-up match against Sri Lanka. Picture: Getty Images

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Steve Smith once told Glenn Maxwell to “train smarter” and it can now be revealed that Kevin Pieteren held similar reservations over Australia’s most watchable player.

While ex-Australian captain Smith never discussed his concerns, Maxwell’s former Big Bash League teammate Pietersen said frustrations were born out of the maverick batsman’s inability to start at a sensible tempo.

“I had to have a few hard words with him,” Pietersen told the Herald Sun.

“About the way that he trained, because I didn’t think that he was practising the right way.

“But, man, he’s good, he’s so good. I wish I was half as good. He’s so talented, he just has the ability off his first ball to just start tonking the ball everywhere.

Glenn Maxwell in action for Australia in their warm-up match against Sri Lanka. Picture: Getty Images

“I could never do that. I used to give myself a chance to get in, to pace myself, to feed my way into an innings, and Maxi can walk out there and just start walloping it.”

Maxwell has blossomed into a brilliant leader who steered the Stars to this year’s BBL final in his first season as captain.

The allrounder’s maturity also saw him forgo $2 million by skipping the Indian Premier League to play for County side Lancashire on local pitches in preparation for the World Cup and Ashes.

Maxwell, 30, boasted a strike-rate of 182 at the 2015 World Cup and his spike in bowling form makes him one of the keys to Australia’s hopes of securing a sixth trophy.

But Pietersen — who spent four years playing alongside Maxwell at Melbourne Stars — said he understood Smith’s reservations, which came as a bombshell to Australian cricket in late 2017.

“Yeah I can (see why Smith said that),” Pietersen said.

“He just doesn’t get himself into an innings like he would do in a game.

Kevin Pietersen (right) celebrates as Glenn Maxwell brings up 50 for the Melbourne Stars. Picture: Colleen Petch.

“He’ll walk out to bat and try to hit his first ball for six, his second ball for six at training. But I think he’s learnt from that — my last season at the Melbourne Stars he trained beautifully.

“That’s why I think we started to see a much better Maxwell.”

Pietersen labelled David Warner as the man to explode at the World Cup, although the returning opener remains in significant doubt for Saturday night’s clash against Afghanistan.

Warner (glute) batted at Wednesday’s training session in Bristol but appeared inhibited and did not field.

Australian opener David Warner is battling a buttock injury. Picture: Getty Images

His exclusion from the World Cup opener would simplify Australia’s batting line-up.

Without Warner the Aussies will roll out a top six of Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.

However with Warner only two out of Khawaja, Marsh and Stoinis will play.

Pietersen said Warner would score “plenty” of runs and the inevitable crowd abuse in England would not bother him.

“I honestly do think they’re (Smith and Warner) going to be fine,” Pietersen said.

“Purely because they’ve got there to do a job. Warner in particular will be enthused by it. He’s that kind of player who will relish the opportunity to be in the spotlight.”