Maxwell tees off in Lancashire warm-up

Glenn Maxwell's electric form continued in England overnight, with the right-hander hammering an entertaining 82 from just 45 balls in a warm-up match with county side Lancashire.

On the final day of the three-day fixture against Loughborough MCCU, Maxwell – who made 37 in the first innings – was in devastating touch, teaming up with South African Dane Vilas (71) for a 126-run stand inside 15 overs.

The Australian reached his half-century from just 30 balls while his innings also included five sixes, all from spin, while he was out in spectacular fashion as he lost grip of his bat and was bowled.

Lancashire's County Championship campaign begins on Thursday against Middlesex at Lord's.

Maxwell has made no secret of his desire to break into Australia's Test set-up for the upcoming Ashes in the UK later this year, while his time with Lancashire is also set to serve as an ideal World Cup warm-up.

The 30-year-old will be replaced at Lancs by Joe Burns when he links up with the Australians ahead of the ICC's 50-over showpiece, where the in-form middle-order batsman is expected to be a key player in Australia's title defence.

Maxwell was in scintillating form for the Australians in the white-ball formats in India and Pakistan recently, prompting coach Justin Langer to suggest he could potentially match India batting maestro Virat Kohli.

"The challenge for him is, and I've said this to him, we've just seen Virat Kohli, who is an extraordinarily talented player – he averages 60 in ODI cricket. He is a great player," Langer said last month.

"At the moment, in 99 games, 'Maxi' averages 32 or 33. He can be Virat Kohli. He has got the talent to do that.

"The way he played that T20 hundred in India, the way he played both T20s – we know he's a great T20 player.

"His next challenge is to become a great ODI player and then potentially a Test player.

"So there's huge upside for him and while he keeps practicing with the purpose he's got and winning games of cricket like he is, it's great to have him."

Australia's World Cup fixtures

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE