Premier Cricket 2022-23: Glenn Maxwell lifts Fitzroy Doncaster to victory in cricket return

Glenn Maxwell helped Fitzroy Doncaster out of strife in his return to cricket on Saturday, with a game-changing effort at the crease.

It always promises to be a big occasion when he turns out for the Premier Cricket club.

And he didn’t disappoint.

Australian batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell marked his return from a broken leg on Saturday with a match-saving 61-run effort in Fitzroy Doncaster’s two-wicket win over Kingston Hawthorn.

Chasing 215, Maxwell’s knock off 92 deliveries lifted the Lions to 8-219 as they etched a fourth win in a row to keep their finals hopes alive.

“It’s always handy when he sends a message during the week to say he’s available for Saturday,” Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi said.

“He’s always a massive inclusion for us and he’s performed consistently the last few times he’s played for us and to get another 60 for us, he’s helped us to another win.”

Glenn Maxwell blasted 61 for the Lions in his return. Picture: Valeriu Campan

With the Lions’ sitting 3-18 after three of their opening four batsmen were skittled for a duck, Maxwell entered the crease at No. 5, pairing with Liam Banthorpe (44 runs off 67 balls) to deliver a 58-run partnership.

“(Noah) Korkolis got out in the first over of the day, so ‘Maxi’ was straight into the cauldron,” Alavi said.

“They (Banthorpe and Maxwell) weathered the storm and steadied the ship, got us going for the day … then (Maxwell) came out of lunch and made a few shots and got the scoreboard ticking.”

Lower-order pair Nick Fletcher (36 off 24) and Zach Macciocca (31 off 39) finished the job for the 11th placed Lions to notch a sixth win of the season – keeping in touch with the top eight.

“It was a really important win to keep the season alive,” Alavi said.

It’s unclear whether Maxwell will gear up for the club again next round, as attention turns to snagging a fifth win in a row in the clash with Dandenong (16th) across the next fortnight.

“You never know – he could be turning out for us again on Saturday … we’d love to have him again but we’ll see how it pans out,” Alavi said.

“The boys are playing with a lot of confidence at the moment … the red ball’s been very helpful.

“I think we’ve really embraced it and it’s been a really good month and a half and hopefully we can make it five in a row against Dandenong over the next two weeks.”