Glenn Maxwell’s return to cricket imminent after training with Victoria
Glenn Maxwell was a welcome sight at Victoria training but the star allrounder’s return to first-class cricket is still on ice after he was overlooked for the final Sheffield Shield match.
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A Big Bash return for Glenn Maxwell is a step closer but not locked in after he wasn’t quite ready for the final Sheffield Shield match before the BBL break.
The dynamic all-rounder has played only club cricket since standing down from the game to deal with his mental wellbeing last month and has had just one net session with his state teammates.
That came on Thursday when he joined in training at the MCG ahead of this weekend’s Shield clash with Western Australia, and was only a “small hit”.
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All Melbourne Stars players will come together in Melbourne next Thursday to begin their campaign and it remains unclear if Maxwell, who was captain last year, will be ready to join the fold straight away.
“We’ll continue to work with Glenn regarding a return to future play,” a spokesperson for the Stars said.
“We have not put a time frame on those plans at this point.”
It’s understood new Stars coach, David Hussey, has been in contact with Maxwell and the franchise has plans for the superstar playing, or not playing.
Friends have reported that Maxwell was in a “good place” after a break they say he needed following almost two years of unrelenting touring and playing.
“It probably took him a bit longer than he thought to get back into it,” Maxwell’s close friend and Australian white-ball captain Aaron Finch said last week.
“I don’t want to speak on his behalf. No doubt it will be a gradual process to get back, whether that’s next week, next month or next year.”
Victorian teammate Marcus Harris said the 30-year-old was “not far away” from playing again after slowly rejoining training.
“Those sort of guys just need a little bit of space. They have everyone hounding them about what’s going on, everyone is asking them questions,” Harris said.
“So you just give them a little bit of space and let them speak to you when they want. Otherwise let them be.
“Maxy has been really good and all the other boys dealing with stuff have been really good as well. We just put our arms around them and support them.”
Maxwell has also nominated for this month’s IPL auction, after skipping last year’s tournament to focus on Australia’s World Cup campaign.
Originally published as Glenn Maxwell’s return to cricket imminent after training with Victoria