Glenn Maxwell a surprise entry for IND vs AUS Tests? Cricket Australia eyeing a vicious move

Swashbuckling Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is eyeing a comeback in the Test squad before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at home.

Victoria captain Will Sutherland confirmed that Glenn Maxwell will play a couple of matches in the Sheffield Shield early in Australia's summer.

Maxwell is currently in England for the ongoing five-match ODI series. He hasn't participated in any Sheffield Shield matches for Victoria since February 2023.

Notably, the all-rounder has only played two first-class games in the last five years due to his focus on white-ball cricket and a leg injury.

Australia's ODI players will be back from England early next week. The opening round of the Sheffield Shield will commence on October 8.

Victoria will play against Tasmania at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. Australian Test and white-ball players are expected to join for the second Shield round.

The third and fourth rounds of the Sheffield Shield will coincide with Australia’s home ODI and T20I series against Pakistan.

Australia A will play two first-class matches against India A in early November. Two more Shield rounds are set to take place during the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar series.

Glenn Maxwell To Make Return To Australia Test Squad?

Glenn Maxwell is unlikely to be included in Australia’s squad for the five-match home Test series against India.

However, the all-rounder has a chance to participate in the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, which will be crucial for Australia to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC).

Maxwell's last first-class match was for Warwickshire in the county championship in July 2023, where he scored 81 runs off 67 balls and bowled 24 overs across two innings.

Maxwell has played seven Test matches, all away from home. He has scored 339 runs at an average of 26.07, including one century.

He'll Be Available For A Couple - Will Sutherland

Will Sutherland expressed optimism about Glenn Maxwell's availability for a couple of matches. Sutherland added that Maxwell is eager to play but acknowledged that circumstances could change. He highlighted that Maxwell's joining will benefit the Victoria team.

"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," Sutherland said on Wednesday.

Notably, Australia's selectors have indicated that they don't see a strong connection between Sheffield Shield performances and Test cricket in Sri Lanka.

However, Victoria is eager for Glenn Maxwell to play some red-ball cricket early in the summer, which would help him regain his form in that format.

Maxwell made his Test debut during the 2013 Border-Gavaskar series in India. However, his performance in Tests has not been the same level as his success in limited-overs formats.

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