Glenn Maxwell Returns to Red-Ball Cricket with Victoria’s Second XI
Glenn Maxwell is set to make his return to red-ball cricket in Cricket Australia’s Second XI four-day competition. He will be part of Victoria’s 12-man squad facing Queensland at Junction Oval starting Monday. This marks Maxwell’s first four-day match in over a year as he eyes a spot in Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka next year.
Maxwell, who turns 36 on the first day of the match, has played only two first-class matches in the past five years due to a serious leg injury. His participation in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match on October 20 is unlikely, as it will feature Australia’s Test players like Steven Smith, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc.
The Second XI competition allows for 12 players, with 11 batting and 11 bowling, enabling player rotation. Maxwell is expected to play a one-day domestic match against New South Wales on October 25, possibly alongside Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. However, he may miss Victoria’s third and fourth Shield rounds due to Australia’s ODI and T20I series against Pakistan.
Maxwell could return for Victoria’s fifth and sixth Shield games before the BBL begins. Victoria will face Queensland on November 24 at the Gabba in a pink-ball game and host them at the MCG on December 6. Maxwell might also play in a two-day pink-ball Prime Minister’s XI game against India in Canberra starting November 30.
Maxwell is a strong contender for Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka due to his experience in subcontinent conditions. He was part of the 2022 Sri Lanka tour and is valued for his spin-bowling and batting abilities. Although Shield cricket conditions differ from those in Sri Lanka, playing red-ball cricket is seen as beneficial for Maxwell’s physical conditioning.
Victoria’s Second XI squad includes state captain Will Sutherland, who is recovering from a back injury and will bowl under restrictions. The squad also features Austin Anlezark, Liam Blackford, Dylan Brasher, Xavier Crone, Harry Dixon, Jai Lemire, Reilley Mark, Jon Merlo, David Moody, and Doug Warren.
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Glenn Maxwell -: Glenn Maxwell is a famous Australian cricketer known for his aggressive batting and all-round skills. He plays for the Australian national team and various domestic teams.
Red-ball cricket -: Red-ball cricket refers to the traditional format of cricket, which includes Test matches and first-class matches. These games are played over multiple days, unlike the shorter formats like T20 or One-Day Internationals.
Victoria’s Second XI -: Victoria’s Second XI is a cricket team that represents the state of Victoria in Australia. It is a team for players who are on the verge of playing for the main Victoria team.
Test tour of Sri Lanka -: A Test tour of Sri Lanka means that the Australian cricket team will travel to Sri Lanka to play a series of Test matches. Test matches are the longest form of cricket, lasting up to five days.
First-class games -: First-class games are a type of cricket match that is played over three or more days. They are considered a high standard of domestic cricket, just below international Test matches.
Sheffield Shield -: The Sheffield Shield is a domestic first-class cricket competition in Australia. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious cricket tournaments in the country.