The Victorian all-rounder unleashed a torrid display of power hitting, smashing the second-rate Sri Lanka attack to all parts of Manuka Oval in the first day of the match with the Chairman's XI.

Maxwell arrived at the crease looking as if he had an early flight to catch, belting 11 fours and two huge sixes.

But just as he appeared certain to reach a century in a session, he was clean bowled when he walked down the pitch and took a wild swipe at medium-pacer Nuwan Pradeep.

Maxwell's entertaining 91 off just 77 balls demonstrated why he has played seven T20 internationals and four one-dayers for Australia.

However, his selection for the Chairman's XI, when his Big Bash League team the Melbourne Stars would have been desperate to retain his services for Friday night's cross-town derby with the Renegades, shows that selectors are keen on harnessing his potential in the longer format.

His power hitting helped the Chairman's XI cruise to 4-390 at stumps, with unheralded NSW opener Scott Henry carrying his bat for an unbeaten 172.

''At one stage I said to him, 'I'm happy to stay at the other end', because I was pretty tired at that stage, and he just took over,'' Henry said.

''I'd like to see the stats on how many balls I actually faced during that period.

''It gave me a bit of a break during the back end and helped me to keep going from there.''

Sri Lankan fast bowler Shaminda Eranga (1-22 off 15 overs) believed his side was always a chance of taking Maxwell's wicket.

''The guy's got good potential, but we had a 50-50 chance of getting him out,'' Eranga said through an interpreter. ''Maxwell was pretty aggressive against the other guys, but more cautious against me.''

Henry has played only seven first-class games for NSW, but never gave a chance in a peerless innings. It surpassed his previous top score of 156 in Sydney grade cricket, before he joins the Stars for the Big Bash League.

''It was a good experience to play against an international side and it's also good to get some runs, I suppose,'' Henry said.

''On a pitch that wasn't really getting above your waist it was pretty easy to score on at times.''