Melbourne, September 16 (Patrika English News): Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (36), who announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals earlier this year, is set to make a surprising return to 50-over cricket. He has been named in Victoria’s 14-member squad for the opening two matches of the new season’s Dean Jones Trophy, as part of his preparation for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
Victoria will face Queensland and Tasmania at Allan Border Field on Wednesday and Friday. Maxwell has played just one List A match for Victoria since March 2022, which came last October against New South Wales.
T20I squad member Matt Short also returns after recovering from injury, having last played in July during the Major League Cricket (MLC). Captain Will Sutherland will feature in the first game before joining the India A squad in Lucknow, after which Peter Handscomb will lead the side.
Young batsman Oliver Peake and spinner Todd Murphy are currently on India A duty, while Harry Dixon and Sam Elliott will travel to India after these fixtures to represent Australia A in the 50-over series starting September 30 in Kanpur.
Queensland, led by Marnus Labuschagne, will take on Victoria on Wednesday and Western Australia on Sunday. Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett is unavailable due to India A commitments, while Mark Steketee (hamstring) and Callum Vidler (stress fracture) are sidelined with injuries. Test opener Usman Khawaja has also opted out of this week’s matches to prepare for the Shield season and the Ashes.
Queensland may hand debuts to former New South Wales all-rounder Hayden Kerr and U-19 World Cup-winning captain Hugh Weibgen. Lachlan Hearne has earned his maiden call-up to the Australia A squad, replacing the injured Aaron Hardie.
Victoria squad: Will Sutherland, Peter Handscomb, Blake MacDonald, Callum Stow, Cameron McClure, David Moody, Glenn Maxwell, Harry Dixon, Marcus Harris, Matt Short, Mitch Perry, Sam Elliott, Sam Harper, Tom Rogers.
Queensland squad: Marnus Labuschagne (captain), Jack Clayton, Benji Floros, Lachlan Hearne, Hayden Kerr, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Gurinder Sandhu, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth.
