Glenn Maxwell has a very simple way of explaining what went wrong in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield innings-loss to NSW last week.

“Basically everything,” he said.

“We haven’t really batted that well, we haven’t bowled that well and we haven’t put together a good team effort for the last four games,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell was the only Bushranger batsman to escape the two-and-a-half day belting by the Blues with any credit, with a first innings 94 and a second innings century representing more than half the Victorians’ runs total.

Maxwell took the crease at 6-9 in Victoria’s second innings run chase – still more than 200 runs shy of setting NSW a target – revealing his innings of 127 off 102 balls was one of his most bittersweet tons.

“I was hoping I could slog for another two sessions and a miracle could happen,” he said, laughing.

“It’s a weird situation because the whole time you’re batting you know whatever you do it might not be good enough.

“As happy as I was to make a hundred, you know the game’s over.”

After four straight outright defeats, Victoria sit last on the Sheffield Shield table and require a miracle to make the final – starting Thursday in their next match against South Australia.

After being knocked over with a day to spare, several Bushrangers played club cricket to regain form for their Adelaide Oval match.

“It’s extremely disappointing. We haven’t given ourselves any chance in any department, we’ve got to turn it around in Adelaide,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell was taken by Brendon McCullum’s triple century against India, and New Zealander’s ability to move between short and long form cricket.

“It’s amazing. The fact someone can face 580 balls and still have the concentration to keep going, he’s still leaving balls well,” he said.

“He’s been heavily involved in Twenty20 cricket… I think it just show how you can adapt between the formats.

“He’s a big one that I can look up and follow a little bit in his footsteps.”