Glenn Maxwell Set for Sheffield Shield Return in Push for Test Comeback

Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell aims for a Test comeback by participating in early Sheffield Shield matches for Victoria. The all-rounder, currently in England with Australia's ODI team, is keen to prepare for Sri Lanka's tour. He's not played a Sheffield Shield match since February 2023.

Victoria captain Will Sutherland has confirmed that Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell will participate in a few early Sheffield Shield matches this summer as the all-rounder aims to return to Australia's Test setup ahead of the Sri Lanka tour in January and February next year. Maxwell, currently in England with Australia's ODI team, hasn't played a Sheffield Shield match for Victoria since February 2023 and has participated in only two first-class matches in the past five years due to his commitments to white-ball cricket and a leg injury.

The Sheffield Shield round commences on October 8, with the Australian ODI team slated to return from England early next week. Victoria is set to host Tasmania at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, followed by international players joining their respective teams in the second round starting October 20 when Victoria will face New South Wales at the MCG.

Australia's home ODI and T20I series against Pakistan will coincide with the third and fourth Shield rounds from November 4-18. Additionally, Australia A will play two first-class games against India A in November. Two more Shield rounds will start on November 24 and December 6, respectively, preceding the Border-Gavaskar series and the Big Bash League (BBL). Maxwell was last part of the Sri Lanka Test series in 2022, recognized for his skills as a spin-bowling all-rounder suitable for spinning conditions.

All of Maxwell's Test appearances have been on the subcontinent, with his last match in Bangladesh in 2017. Victoria is eager to have Maxwell in their red-ball squad early this summer as an opportunity for him to regain form, given his limited recent exposure to the format.

"I think he'll be available for a couple, and I believe he's keen to play as well," Sutherland told ESPNcricinfo. "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," he added.

Maxwell's last first-class appearance was for Warwickshire in the county championship last year, where he impressed with a score of 81 off 67 deliveries and bowled 24 overs across two innings.

(With inputs from agencies.)