Smith criticises Maxwell for `disrespectful` comments about Wade

Sydney [Australia], Dec. 3 (ANI): Australian skipper Steve Smith has criticised Glenn Maxwell for his comments about Mathew Wade, dubbing them as "very disrespectful" and the mercurial all-rounder has been fined an undisclosed amount by the team leadership group. Maxwell had earlier this week expressed his disappointment with the fact that he is forced to bat below Wade in this year Victoria's Sheffield Shield side, saying it is" a little bit painful at times." As captain of Bushrangers, the batting order is Wade's domain and as he is now back in the Test side, Maxwell's future remains decidedly uncertain, despite his fantastic first-class record. "That's probably a little bit painful at times. I think probably batting below the wicketkeeper is also a bit painful as well," Maxwell had said. "I think the wicketkeeper should be batting at seven unless you're trying to squeeze an extra bowler into your line-up. I've been just trying to bat wherever I can and trying to make as many runs as I can," he added. "I got a hundred from No. 8 for Victoria so there are always opportunities to get runs wherever you are in the order." Maxwell, who unsuccessfully sought a move from Victoria to NSW during the winter, said that batting below Wade had made his task to return to the Australian Test team harder. Speaking ahead of the first game of the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand at the SCG on Sunday, Smith said, "Everyone was disappointed in his comments, I've expressed that to him myself, spoke to the team." "I guess one of our values is respect, and having respect for your teammates and your opposition, and your fans, your media. I thought what he said was very disrespectful to a teammate and his Victorian captain," the Australian skipper was quoted as saying by SydneyMorningHerald. "So the leadership group got together and we decided to fine Glenn, we thought that was a sufficient punishment, so we've gone down that path." However, the Australian skipper said that Maxwell and Wade have sorted out the things. "Wadey was obviously pretty disappointed as well, like all of the other players. We've moved on from that now. It's about focusing on our game tomorrow," Smith said. Maxwell, if selected for Sunday's clash, will be playing his first ODI in more than five months after he was dumped from the Australian squad following a lean tour of the West Indies mid-year. The three ODIs of the Chappell-Hadlee series will be played in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne on December 4, 6 and 9. (ANI)