Glenn Maxwell set for Shield comeback, with test hopes on the horizon

Glenn Maxwell, a spin-bowling all-rounder, is aiming to be included in Australia’s Test series against Sri Lanka in January and February of next year. Victoria captain Will Sutherland says the spin-bowling all-rounder will be eligible to play some Sheffield Shield cricket in the early summer.

Due to his white-ball obligations and unusual leg ailment, Maxwell, who turns 36 in October, has only played two first-class matches in the past five years and has not participated in a Shield match for Victoria since February 2023. Maxwell is now playing for Australia’s ODI side in England.

The first Shield round is scheduled to start on October 8, and Australia’s ODI players are expected to return from England early the following week. Before a sizable contingent of Australia Test and white-ball players are poised to be available for the second Shield round, which begins on October 20 when Victoria hosts New South Wales at the MCG, Victoria hosts Tasmania at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.

Australia’s home ODI and T20I series against Pakistan, which takes place from November 4–18, coincides with the third and fourth Shield rounds. The first two weeks of November also feature two Australia A first-class matches versus India A. Just before the BBL begins, there are two more Shield rounds that will begin on November 24 and December 6, respectively, while the Border-Gavaskar series is in progress.

Unless a very special set of unexpected circumstances materialises, Glenn Maxwell will not be a part of Australia’s preparations for the five-Test home series against India.

He does, however, have the opportunity to travel to Sri Lanka for the two Test series, which might be vital in Australia’s hopes of reaching yet another World Test Championship final. Maxwell’s talent as a spin-bowling all-rounder is considered as a benefit in spinning conditions, especially if the Tests are slated to be low-scoring and fast-moving.

He was a member of the Sri Lanka trip in 2022 and almost played the first Test in Galle. His seven Test matches, the most recent of which took place in Bangladesh in 2017, have all taken place on the subcontinent.

Although conditions in Victoria in October are vastly different from those in the subcontinent, Victoria is eager to have Maxwell play some red-ball cricket for them in the early summer. It will be an opportunity for him to get into the red-ball rhythm given that he has played so little in recent years. Australia’s selectors have previously stated that they see very little form line correlation between Shield cricket and Test cricket in Sri Lanka.

Sutherland stated on Wednesday, “I think he’ll be available for a couple and I believe he’s keen to play as well.” “Obviously, things can change with him playing at the moment, but to have a player like Glenn potentially come into our side is a bit of a luxury, so hopefully that can work out nicely.”

In the previous year’s county championship, Maxwell played his final first-class match for Warwickshire, when he bowled 24 overs over two innings and scored 81 off 67.

Australia fast bowler Scott Boland is unlikely to play in Victoria’s opening Shield match of the season against Tasmania as he recovers from a knee injury. Earlier in the year, plantar inflammation in his foot kept Boland from playing for Durham County. However, he is expected to be unleashed in the MCG encounter against NSW, where the Blues will have opportunities to play for Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Steven Smith.

Regarding Boland’s comeback, Sutherland remarked, “I think it’s the second [game].” “I faced him in the nets a few days ago, and he’s still nipping the ball back into me, blowing my quad off every second ball. You have to double check with him.” He’s simply getting stronger and still has his tools. He’ll be primed for action come Shield season, I’m sure.”

Sutherland disclosed that, following a stress fracture to his back, he will probably be limited in his ability to bowl for the beginning of the Shield season. In Victoria’s first-ever One-Day Cup victory against Tasmania on Monday in Melbourne, he bowled six overs and finished with 36 not out. He will bowl again on Friday against Queensland. However, he acknowledged that he is still building up his workload for Shield cricket and that his ability to bowl may be limited in terms of overs.

“I’ll be able to play the first game, probably, I just won’t be able to bowl as many overs as I would like,” Sutherland stated. “I’ll have limitations. How Friday goes will determine how that seems. However, there will undoubtedly be boundaries.

“I believe the primary problem is bowling on consecutive days. I can bowl fairly well one day, but regrettably, there will be some conflict the next day. Thus, it occasionally causes certain problems. However, we’ll just have to deal with that and perhaps miss the occasional game here and there.”

To prevent more back issues, Sutherland has been working with Victoria bowling coach Adam Griffith on his action throughout the winter.

Sutherland stated, “I’m just trying to get more stable at the crease.” “I would also like to gain a few yards.” I have, therefore, been doing a lot. They complement each other in a way. It’s probably safer at the crease and you might gain a few yards if you become more efficient. Undoubtedly putting in some effort there.”

Will Pucovski is one man who will not be on Victoria’s Shield at the beginning of the season. The one-Test opener hasn’t been working out with the team and is about to end his playing career after a medical panel recommended against it because of his history of concussions. Since his contract and injury compensation are still being negotiated, it is anticipated that it will take some time before his medical retirement is officially announced.

Sutherland reported that he has been texting Pucovski and that his teammates have been keeping tabs on him.

“He’s probably closer to other guys than me but we’ve sent the odd message to each other, just trying to stick with him,” Sutherland stated. At Victoria, our group is close-knit. Many boys have probably sought to stay in touch with him because we want to feel like a family.

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“I’m not sure what circumstances he’s clearly going through right now. Probably not the best person to ask, but me. However, we’re definitely keeping an eye on him and making an effort to stay in contact, so maybe things may work out for him.”