- Glenn Maxwell is ready for a shock test recall
- Follows the 35-year-old’s World Cup heroics in India
- His all-rounder status could be invaluable in the subcontinent
Glenn Maxwell’s World Cup heroics could see the ‘Big Show’ handed an invaluable opportunity to force his way back into the Australian Test squad.
The 35-year-old, who has played seven Tests in his career, is tipped to be in the selection mix for the next tour of Sri Lanka in January 2025.
While his blistering century from 40 balls against the Netherlands and his incredible unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan showed his obvious quality with the bat, it is Maxwell’s off-spin that is said to have grabbed the attention.
By the time Australia pick their squad to tour the subcontinent, Maxwell will be 36, but his passion for Test cricket would be as strong as ever.
What could work against Maxwell is the International Cricket Council (ICC) – cricket’s governing body – kicking Sri Lanka out of the World Cup this week, citing ‘political interference’.
Glenn Maxwell’s World Cup heroics could see the ‘Big Show’ get an invaluable opportunity to force his way back into the Australian Test squad
The 35-year-old has played seven Tests in his career – all in Asia – a statistic Maxwell is keen to change
Sri Lanka was suspended by the ICC for ‘seriously breaching its obligations as a member’ following their government’s confusing decision to dismiss the SLC board.
An interim committee was hastily set up to run the country’s cricket programs instead, headed by former captain Arjuna Ranatunga.
The move has angered the ICC and follows Sri Lanka’s disappointing World Cup campaign in which the country won just two of its nine matches.
Meanwhile, the path Maxwell chooses will intrigue many fans.
If, as widely expected, T20 cricket aims to establish a new world order led by the riches offered by players in the Indian Premier League, the traditional form of the game may suffer.
Maxwell will be in high demand thanks to his prowess at the crease, and as he faces the end of his career in 2025, the money could be too good to turn down.
But Maxwell has previously stated that he feels he has unfinished business at Test level with all seven of his Tests being played in Asia.
He missed the India tour earlier this year after breaking his leg at a friend’s 50th birthday party and was overlooked during the Travel to Sri Lanka in 2022.
The last time Maxwell wore his wide green was against Bangladesh in 2017.
In August last year he told cricket.com.au he was craving another opportunity at first-class level.
“Having the taste of just being in the Test squad (against Sri Lanka in 2022) was so exciting and reinvigorating and reminded myself of where I want to be,” he said at the time.
‘It’s something I’ve made no secret of, that I really want to play Test cricket again.’