Australia coach Justin Langer admits the form of Glenn Maxwell is a concern ahead of Thursday morning's ODI against England at The Oval.
Maxwell failed again with the bat against Middlesex on Saturday in Australia's comfortable 101-run warm-up win at Lord's, scoring just three.
It followed his dismissal for just one run against Sussex and a lean IPL campaign for the Delhi Daredevils where he averaged 14.08 in 12 visits to the crease.
The talented Victorian is the only member of Australia's established batsmen not to get any extended time in the middle since arriving in the UK but Langer believes Maxwell is too good to be out of the runs for long.
"He is (a worry) but that said I have been super impressed with Glenn Maxwell, his preparation has been literally outstanding," Langer said.
"I would be very surprised if he doesn't get a very big score very soon.
"There's been a lot of talk about Glenn Maxwell but I have been incredibly impressed with the way he goes about his business and even the way he has been batting in the nets.
"I am sure a big one is not far away from him."
Former Test skipper Ricky Ponting joined up with the team in a temporary coaching role on Sunday and Langer said he expects his influence to have a positive effect on Maxwell.
"To have the influence of someone like Punter is gold," he said.
"If he keeps preparing well and keeps trusting his preparation it is not far until he becomes an absolute star."
With Travis Head scoring a century after being promoted to the top of the order at Lord's and Aaron Finch making 54 at over a run a ball batting at five, Langer hinted he could stick with that at The Oval.
"Aaron Finch's record opening the batting for the last five or six games for Australia, and against England, is just brilliant," Langer said.
"Travis Head's record as an opener for Australia is very good.
"Marcus Stoinis got 87 batting in his last ODI, he got a hundred batting three the other day.
"I'll guarantee now I am not going to sleep for the next two nights working out what the best XI is going to be for the first game."
Nathan Lyon has yet to see any action on tour so far and Langer said it's unlikely the spinner will feature this week with Ashton Agar offering a better all-round package.
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