Glenn Maxwell is "too influential" a player not to be featuring for Australia in limited-overs cricket, according to Simon Katich.
The all-rounder was left out for the first one-day international against New Zealand at the SCG following his team-enforced fine for comments about teammate Matthew Wade.
Australia maintained that Maxwell had been available for selection on Sunday despite captain Steve Smith slamming his comments as "very disrespectful to Wade".
Maxwell has been criticised for his attitude in saying in the lead-up to the game that it had been "painful" to be positioned lower in the batting order in the Sheffield Shield than Wade, the Victoria captain and wicketkeeper, agreeing that it had hurt his chances of a Test call-up.
It is unclear if the episode will have an impact on Maxwell's immediate international future – he had not made Australia's one-day squads for their two most recent tours in South Africa and Sri Lanka, so it was not entirely unexpected that he would be overlooked for Travis Head in the middle order in Sydney.
"It was more about giving Travis another opportunity," Smith said on Sunday night. "I think he played well last week, he scored a hundred in Shield cricket, so he's in good nick. Obviously he played pretty well today too.
"I think (Maxwell and Wade) are OK. I made some comments in here the other day about him and about the comments that were disappointing and disrespectful towards Matty but we've moved on."
Former Australian opener Katich offered a defence of Maxwell on ABC radio on Sunday.
"My point is someone like him who is mercurial [at] times when he's going, he's going to frustrate but there's times when he's a match winner. He just needs guidance around him," Katich said.
"He had issues leading into the summer thinking about a transfer to NSW but it didn't eventuate. It's a shame when a player of his ability can't get on the field for disciplinary reasons. Cricket Australia have to sort it out. He should be out there playing this one-dayer for Australia
"I think Steve Smith's prerogative as captain is to deal with these situations. But I think from Glenn Maxwell's point of view and a lot of people have commented on it … they've been impressed with the fact he was giving honest opinion and that's what people want to hear more from players. He's had to pay for it financially but you'd hope Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann can sort it out behind closed doors … He's too influential a player to not be playing for Australia at the moment."
Ian Chappell said during Macquarie radio commentary that Maxwell had to put his head down and score more runs.
"Really, to me it was a matter of 'shut up and let your bat do the talking'. Make some runs and then you can start saying a few things," Chappell said.
"He's got to get the runs on the board but there's no doubt he's got the talent to play Test cricket. He's just got to apply himself. One thing he'd bring to the Australian team is talent in the field. And that's one thing Australia has been lacking."
