Melbourne, Sept 16 (HS): Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (36), who announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals earlier this year, will nevertheless feature in 50-over cricket for Victoria as part of his preparation for the upcoming T20 International series against New Zealand. Maxwell has been named in Victoria’s 14-member squad for the opening two matches of the new season’s Dean Jones Trophy.

Victoria will face Queensland and Tasmania at Allan Border Field on Wednesday and Friday. Maxwell, who has played only one List A match for Victoria since March 2022, last appeared in October last year against New South Wales.

T20I regular Matt Short is also set to make his comeback for Victoria after recovering from injury. Short has not played since July, when he featured in Major League Cricket (MLC). Captain Will Sutherland will lead in the first game before departing for Lucknow to join the India A squad. Peter Handscomb will take over the captaincy thereafter.

Meanwhile, youngsters Oliver Peake and spinner Todd Murphy are currently touring with India A. Harry Dixon and Sam Elliott will play the first two matches before flying to India to represent Australia A in the 50-over series beginning September 30 in Kanpur.

Queensland will be led by Marnus Labuschagne, with matches scheduled against Victoria on Wednesday and Western Australia on Sunday. Pacer Xavier Bartlett is unavailable due to India A commitments, while Mark Steketee (hamstring) and Callum Vidler (stress fracture) are sidelined with injuries. Test opener Usman Khawaja will also sit out this week’s 50-over matches to focus on preparations for the Shield season and the Ashes.

Debuts are on the cards for former New South Wales all-rounder Hayden Kerr and Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Hugh Weibgen. Lachlan Hearne has earned a maiden Australia A call-up as a replacement for the injured Aaron Hardie.

Squads

Victoria: Will Sutherland, Peter Handscomb, Blake MacDonald, Callum Stow, Cameron McClure, David Moody, Glenn Maxwell, Harry Dixon, Marcus Harris, Matt Short, Mitch Perry, Sam Elliott, Sam Harper, Tom Rogers.

Queensland: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Jack Clayton, Benji Floros, Lachlan Hearne, Hayden Kerr, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Gurinder Sandhu, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar