Glenn Maxwell on Tuesday (February 4) received a call-up to Australia’s ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa, returning to international cricket for the first time since taking a hiatus to sort out mental health difficulties in October last year.
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Although Maxwell had made himself available for the three-match ODI series against India last month, he wasn't named in the 14-man squad announced by the selectors.
The 31-year-old now returns to the white-ball set-up on the back of 389 runs at an average of 43.22 in the Big Bash League (BBL) for Melbourne Stars.
"It is fantastic to have Glenn back in both squads given his brilliant form in the middle order for the Stars along with his results with the ball," national selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement.
"Glenn was one of the first picked in the most recent T20 team at the start of the summer, prior to his break from the game."
Despite being the leading run-scorer (612 runs at 55.63) in BBL 09, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis failed to find a place in both squads.
Pace bowler Sean Abbott, who was ruled out of the India series due to a side strain, has been named in the T20I squad.
Middle-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne retained his place in the 50-over side after scoring 54 and 46 in his first two ODI innings on the tour of India, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon was snubbed.
Opener Aaron Finch will continue to captain both limited-overs teams with Steve Smith and David Warner among the veteran players firmly entrenched in the side.
Australia’s tour of South Africa starts with the three-match T20I series in Johannesburg on February 21 while the three-ODI series will begin on February 29 in Paarl.
ODI Squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
T20I Squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
(Inputs from Reuters)
