Reports: Glenn Maxwell to make his international comeback with South Africa tour

Swashbuckling right-handed batsman Glenn Maxwell sent shockwaves around the cricketing world when he announced that he would be taking an indefinite break from international cricket before the home T20I series against Pakistan last October in order to address the mental health issues.

Many feared for the cricketing future for ‘The Big Show’ but two months later, the all-rounder made a whirlwind comeback to competitive cricket and is currently enthralling the cricketing folklore with his three-dimensional display for the Melbourne Stars in the ongoing Big Bash League.

Maxwell has been at his very best thus far in the BBL where he has already racked up 216 runs from nine games at an average of 79.0. Besides, gobsmacking the fans with his 360-degree strokeplay, Maxwell has played a crucial role with the bowl as well, taking crucial wickets during the powerplay overs.

And, according to a report published in an Australian website news.com.au, the all-rounder may have just booked his ticket for the tour of South Africa where the national side is set to play three ODIs and as many T20Is.

Glenn Maxwell was dropped after a disappointing World Cup campaign

Maxwell, who has been a consistent performer for the Aussies in the shortest format of the game, lost his place in the ODI set-up after underwhelming performances in the 2019 World Cup. Maxwell was dropped from the Australian touring party for the ODI series against Australia and wasn’t considered as a replacement when Sean Abbott was ruled out, with D’Archy Short pipping him. And, whether he makes a comeback to the ODI side, will hinge on how the Aussie middle-order fares in India.

Interim coach Andrew McDonald also echoed the same. McDonald asserted that Glenn Maxwell did not make full use of the opportunities in ODI cricket in the last year-or-so.

“I wouldn’t have thought (Maxwell’s) far back in the (ODI) queue. I think performances over the last sort of 12 months in 50-over cricket he probably hasn’t nailed it, and left the door ajar. But in T20 cricket it would be a totally different conversation.”

“You’d almost say he’d be front and centre and one of the first people picked. It’s just the different format. I’m sure that around the corner there’ll be some more white-ball 50-over cricket for Glenn Maxwell in the Australian unit, assuming there is an opportunity for him,” interim Australia coach Andrew McDonald told the Herald Sun.

Freehit: 20 Questions with Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza