Fitzroy Doncaster open to Glenn Maxwell’s return in Premier Cricket clash against Geelong

With Glenn Maxwell eyeing a Sheffield Shield return next week, the Australian star could take his first steps back onto a cricket field with his club side.

The door is open for Australian star Glenn Maxwell to return through Premier Cricket. Picture: Evan Morgan

No contact has been made yet between Glenn Maxwell and his Premier Cricket club Fitzroy Doncaster but Lions coach Michael O’Sullivan says “it’s always possible” the Australian star could return to the field against Geelong on Saturday.

Destructive hitter Maxwell has not played cricket since he broke his leg in a freak accident in November, causing him to miss the entire BBL season and put a line through his chances of playing in the upcoming Test tour of India.

Glenn Maxwell has been stuck in the dugout for two months. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The all-rounder has reportedly targeted a return to cricket in Victoria’s next Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland, which begins on February 9.

If Maxwell was to find some time in the middle before then, he could join Fitzroy Doncaster for the second week of its clash in Geelong, with the Lions in the box sweat to win, needing 198 runs with ten wickets in hand.

Maxwell has been famously keen to play with his Premier Cricket club when available and while O’Sullivan said he hadn’t heard anything from the white-ball star, the coach said “if he rang us Thursday night, he would be playing”.

Although the game has already begun, O’Sullivan said he expected Cricket Victoria would tick off Maxwell’s return, replacing a Lions batter in the line-up.

Glenn Maxwell bowls against Geelong in January 22. Picture: Mike Dugdale

O’Sullivan said Maxwell generally reached out to the club through skipper Ejaaz Alavi if he wanted to play, with that contact yet to be made.

“It’s always possible,” O’Sullivan said.

“There has been a bit of rumour going around for a bit and if he has highlighted he wants to play that first shield game (since Christmas), he probably needs a hit in the middle somewhere other than just the nets.

“There is nothing firm (from Maxwell) at all.”

Maxwell has played just six Premier matches in the past three seasons, but three of those have come against Geelong.

Last summer he made a matchwinning 122 off 90 balls against the Cats and in 2020-21 he made 49 and took 3-25 in another win.

Originally published as Fitzroy Doncaster open to Glenn Maxwell’s return in Premier Cricket clash against Geelong