Glenn Maxwell admits missing a chance at returning to the Australian Test side for the upcoming tour of India will nag at him for the rest of his life.
The Victorian was closing in on a potential red-ball return, having not played at the level since 2017’s tour of India, when he made a century.
Maxwell’s off-spin could have combined with his experience in the region – all seven of the all-rounder’s career Test matches have been played in Asia – to at least propel him into the squad.
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But a freak injury, which saw him fracture his left fibula after slipping over at a friend’s 50th birthday party, cost him any chance of being named. The injury was so bad Maxwell could have lost his foot and he is still re-learning how to walk.
Four spinners – Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar and Mitch Swepson – were instead named in the 18-man squad.
Speaking on Fox Cricket during the Big Bash League match between Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday night, Maxwell was asked about missing the tour.
“Probably will nag at me for the rest of my life,” he admitted.
“It’s nice getting the opportunity to watch your teammates play, especially over there. I think they’ve got the squad that’s probably as good as I’ve seen go over to India since I’ve been watching Tests over there, anyway.
“With the way Cameron Green showed his wares in Sri Lanka last year, they were some brilliant signs of guys adapting their gameplan to the conditions, and being able to implement it straight away.”
Maxwell is likely to return to cricket at club level after the Big Bash concludes.
