Glenn Maxwell could return to Australia’s Test team next year, with selectors seeking to make significant changes to the side as they defend their World Test Championship crown.
According to a report by the Australian news agency, Sydney Morning Herald, the all-rounder could return to the red-ball team for their subcontinent tour of Sri Lanka in February of next year.
According to the article, Maxwell may bat in the lower order, just above captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, at number seven or eight. Another major alteration could be that Travis Head replaces Steven Smith as the opening batsman.
Maxwell made his Test debut in 2013 and last appeared in the format in 2017. He has only seven games under his belt and has scored 339 runs, including a century. He also has a four-fer with the ball, which occurred in his debut Test against India in Hyderabad.
He has demonstrated the ability to bowl long stints, which might be an advantage for the Australians as they aim to harness his abilities in subcontinental circumstances that could be good for spinners and back the top spinner, the seasoned Nathan Lyon.
The 35-year-old last played a Test in 2017, against Bangladesh in Chattogram, and has since become a white-ball specialist.
However, one major issue that could complicate matters is Maxwell’s participation with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. Because the schedules overlap, the all-rounder may miss a few games during the tournament to prepare for the Test tour.
Maxwell had hoped to be able to return to the Test squad in November 2023, and the Sri Lanka series is one that he is targeting for selection.
“It’s pretty clear that I’ve always had a pretty solid game in subcontinent conditions, and it’s been something that has developed since my first tour over there [in 2013],” Maxwell told the Sydney Morning Herald in a recent interview.
“The fact that I was able to participate in last year’s Sri Lanka tour shows that they are still considering me as a possibility. “Whether I played one or 30 games of red-ball cricket, I’ll still be able to go over there,” he added.