Glenn Maxwell’s return to Sheffield Shield after 1,218 days has been nightmarish. After getting out for a duck in the first innings, Maxwell injured his wrist while fielding in the slip cordon on February 21.
In the Victoria vs South Australia encounter at Junction Oval, Melbourne, Maxwell was fielding in the slips when an outside edge landed right in front of him and hit him on the wrist. Maxwell was taken to the hospital for scans where he was cleared for a fracture.
After coming back from hospital, Maxwell did come out to bat at no.6 but registered a single-digit score. He got dismissed leg before wicket to Jordan Buckingham after scoring just five runs.
Maxwell returned to competitive cricket after he broke his leg in a freak accident at a party last year which ruled him out of Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23.
The 34-year-old Victorian is expected to make a comeback to the national side in the upcoming three-ODI series against India starting March 17 at Wankhede Stadium. Before playing in the Sheffield Shield game after four years, Maxwell had proved his fitness with a half-century in Victorian Premier League.
"If he (Maxwell) gets through everything that he needs to then he will be a starter for that one-day series (against India that follows the Tests). Anything forward of that will be discussed," McDonald was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Maxwell's last international appearance was in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 clash against Afghanistan where he scored an unbeaten 32-ball 54.
"It’s been a pretty long journey over the last 3 and half months, so a lot of early morning sessions, gym, rehab, pool sessions, physio,” Glenn Maxwell was quoted as saying by Fox Sports. "To feel like I am at the back-end of that now and able to play some cricket is something I’m proud of."
Maxwell’s fitness will also be a headache for Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Maxwell scored 301 runs from 13 innings at an average of 27.36 including one half-century.
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