Glenn Maxwell Eyes Sheffield Shield Return to Boost Test Prospects

Victoria‘s cricket captain announced that Glenn Maxwell will be available for some Sheffield Shield matches early this summer. This move is seen as a strategy to strengthen Maxwell’s case for inclusion in Australia‘s Test squad touring Sri Lanka in January and February next year. Maxwell, who turns 36 in October, is currently with Australia’s One-Day International (ODI) team in England and last participated in a Sheffield Shield match five years ago due to his commitments with Australia’s white-ball formats and a freak leg injury.

With Australia’s ODI players slated to return from England early next week, the opening round of the Sheffield Shield is set to commence on October 8, with Victoria hosting Tasmania at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. A significant assemblage of Australia’s Test and white-ball stars, including Maxwell, is expected to be available for the second round starting October 20 when Victoria faces New South Wales at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The overlapping of the third and fourth Shield rounds with Australia’s home ODI and Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan from November 4 to 18, as well as two Australia A first-class games against India A in November, brings a busy schedule. The series offer Maxwell a rare opportunity for a Test recall, particularly as a spin-bowling allrounder, valuable in Sri Lanka’s spinning conditions.

Cricket Australia’s selectors, however, have previously indicated minimal correlation between form in Shield matches and selection for Test tours in Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, Victoria is keen on having Maxwell participate in some early-season red-ball cricket. “I think he’ll be available for a couple and I believe he’s keen to play as well,” said Victoria's captain on Wednesday.

Boland, another key player for Victoria, is expected to make his return during the second Shield game. Despite recent injuries, team captain acknowledges he still poses a formidable bowling challenge, “I faced him in the nets a few days ago,” he stated, emphasizing Boland’s readiness. Sutherland also disclosed he will likely start the Shield season with bowling restrictions due to a recovery process from a back stress fracture.

Will Pucovski, the one-Test opener, will not feature for Victoria at the start of this season, following advice from a medical panel due to repeated concussions. The medical retirement process is ongoing, pending discussions around his contract and injury compensation.