Victoria captain Will Sutherland has announced that Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will be available to participate in a couple of Sheffield Shield matches early this summer. This decision comes as Maxwell aims to re-establish himself in the Australian Test setup ahead of the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in January and February 2025.
Maxwell’s Return to Red-Ball Cricket
Glenn Maxwell, who is currently with Australia’s ODI team in England, has not played a Sheffield Shield match for Victoria since February 2023. In fact, he has only featured in two first-class matches over the past five years due to his commitments to white-ball cricket and a leg injury that hampered his playing time. With the Shield round set to commence on October 8, Maxwell’s participation will be crucial for both his personal ambitions and Victoria’s performance.
Sutherland expressed optimism about Maxwell’s involvement, stating, “I think he’ll be available for a couple, and I believe he’s keen to play as well.” He acknowledged the luxury of having a player of Maxwell’s caliber potentially join the squad, emphasizing the importance of getting him back into red-ball cricket.
Upcoming Sheffield Shield Schedule
The first round of the Sheffield Shield will see Victoria hosting Tasmania at Junction Oval in Melbourne. Following this, a large group of Australian international players will join their respective teams for the second round starting on October 20, where Victoria will face New South Wales at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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As the season progresses, Australia’s home ODI and T20I series against Pakistan will overlap with the third and fourth Shield rounds from November 4-18. Additionally, Australia A will engage in two first-class matches against India A in November, providing further opportunities for players to showcase their skills.
Maxwell’s Recent Form and Experience
Maxwell’s last first-class appearance was for Warwickshire in the county championship last year, where he scored an impressive 81 runs off just 67 deliveries and bowled 24 overs across two innings. His experience as a spin-bowling all-rounder makes him a valuable asset for Australia, especially considering his previous contributions during the Sri Lanka Test series in 2022.
Having played all his Test matches on subcontinental pitches, with his last appearance coming in Bangladesh in 2017, Maxwell’s return to red-ball cricket is timely. The upcoming series against Sri Lanka will demand players who can adapt to spin-friendly conditions, making Maxwell’s experience critical.
Aiming for Test Selection
Maxwell’s motivation to return to the Test arena is clear. With aspirations to solidify his place in the national team ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, playing in the Sheffield Shield will provide him with essential match practice. His involvement could also enhance Victoria’s chances of success in the tournament as they look to build momentum early in the season.
As Sutherland noted, “Obviously, things can change with him playing at the moment,” indicating that while plans are set, flexibility remains key as players navigate their commitments.
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