Last Updated on 5 months by Charbel Coorey
Australia are pondering the possibility of selecting Glenn Maxwell for their Test tour of Sri Lanka, slated for early 2025. This is according to Dan Brettig of The Age, who wrote that Maxwell was rested for portions of the upcoming white-ball tour of Scotland and England to prepare for the summer ahead.
According to Brettig, selectors are considering Maxwell after the all-rounder narrowly missed selection in the XI during Australia’s 2022 tour of Sri Lanka where the Test series finished 1-1. Also, he reports that Travis Head would open with Steve Smith moving to number five. Peter Handscomb and Josh Inglis, two players the selectors see as better players of spin, are also in line for an opportunity, with Maxwell to bat at seven.
Glenn Maxwell return to Tests not out of the picture
Of course, a lot depends on how the showpiece five-match Test series against India pans out. Any player who performs brilliantly in that series will be very hard to ignore for Sri Lanka, albeit in different conditions.
“We prioritise every Test, we’ll take that across the summer and see how the five Tests against India go and then we’ll make those decisions post that as to exactly how everyone’s travelling,” said selection chair George Bailey, as quoted by The Age.
“What we do know about Sri Lanka is that potentially the surfaces there do give you a bit of a different make-up of your Test side so it doesn’t tend to look exactly the same as what the Test team over the Australian summer might look like.”
Bailey also said that they have a clear plan in place for what preparation looks like for the Sri Lanka tour. The dates are yet to be confirmed, but it is likely to be towards the end of January before the Champions Trophy.
“There’s a pretty clear plan in place in terms of what the Test prep will look like, and getting away and ensuring guys get some time in similar conditions or Sri Lankan conditions before the start of those two Tests,” he said.
However, Maxwell will more than likely be playing Big Bash League (BBL) in December and January. Whether the selectors deem that as enough preparation will be interesting to see.
I’m still an option in Tests – Glenn Maxwell
In November 2023, Maxwell spoke of his desire to return to the Test team. He reiterated his skillset is suited to the subcontinent, and will welcome any opportunity to don the baggy green for the first time since Bangladesh in 2017.
“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],” he said.
“The way I’ve played spin bowling in subcontinent conditions, with being a little bit more aggressive and putting pressure on the opposition, has been something appealing to the selectors over time.”
“Just the fact I was able to be on the Sri Lanka tour last year is a sign they still have me in their thoughts and see me as an option. Regardless of whether I played one or 30 games in red-ball cricket, I’m still going to be an option to go over there.
“I think that’s why 2025 in Sri Lanka is something I’ve put in my calendar as something I’m hopeful to be a part of, and not giving up hope that my Test cricket’s done. If I can get there and hopefully be good enough to take part in the series.”
