Glenn Maxwell’s hopes of returning to first-class cricket before Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka have been dashed due to a hamstring injury sustained against Pakistan in Hobart. The injury, diagnosed as a grade two hamstring injury, will sideline Maxwell for up to a month, ruling him out of Victoria’s next two Sheffield Shield matches and casting doubt on his availability for the start of the BBL with Melbourne Stars.
Maxwell, who had been aiming to prove his readiness for Test cricket following a previous leg injury, will now miss potential opportunities to showcase his skills in upcoming matches. Despite the setback, former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes the injury won’t impact Maxwell’s selection for the Sri Lanka tour, emphasizing his unique skillset and versatility.
Selectors have indicated that performances in Shield cricket won’t be the deciding factor for the Sri Lanka tour, with head coach Andrew McDonald confirming Maxwell’s inclusion in the mix. The challenge for Maxwell lies in managing his body and fitness for Test cricket, especially following the BBL season.
The first Test in Sri Lanka is scheduled for January 29, with Australia expected to have a 10-day lead-up. This timeline may result in selected players missing the BBL finals and late regular-season games. Melbourne Stars’ first BBL match is set for December 15 against Perth Scorchers.
