Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is targeting a return from injury for Australia’s tour of New Zealand.
Maxwell was snapped up by Kings XI Punjab in the IPL 2020 Auction but will have fully overcome an elbow problem to feature. However, he is now edging closer to a return following surgery last month.
His recovery could now be fast-tracked so he’s available for the T20I series in New Zealand from March 24.
Australia will first take on the Black Caps in an ODI series from March 13. Australia are the 1.57 (4/7) favourites with bet365 to win the first ODI clash with New Zealand at 2.25 (5/4).
Those matches will come too soon for Maxwell but he could be back for the T20Is.
“I'm still hoping for that New Zealand T20 series over there and if I can get up for that, I think that would be a great lead-in to the IPL and the rest of the year leading up to that World Cup hopefully,” Maxwell told cricket.com.au.
Surgery after BBL action
Maxwell enjoyed a fine BBL campaign before being hit by injury.
“When I got the news that I needed surgery, I had to map out a bit of a plan of how I wanted my year to go and depending on how my elbow recovers is going to be key on when my return date is,” Maxwell said.
“Pretty much every session I'd start off in a bit of pain – I'd try to get through that and find a way to play pain-free,” he said. “Once I got through that (initial pain) I felt I was ready and once adrenaline takes over (in a game) you feel like you're ready to go.
“Towards the finals it started to get worse. I had the final and I was still in a bit of pain and got told by the surgeon that it requires surgery urgently. It was a bit of a shock to me and changed my plans a bit.”
Maxwell getting ready for T20 World Cup
Maxwell hopes a return to international cricket and the IPL will help set him up to make Australia’s T20 World Cup squad.
He added: “”I'm trying to give myself as many opportunities to play T20 cricket this year and get myself right for that T20 World Cup.
“We've (Australia) moved our way up the rankings and into a position where teams should probably fear us on our home soil.”
