Glenn Maxwell ‘completely understands’ why he was overlooked for Sri Lanka Tests

Having been overlooked for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting later this month, Glenn Maxwell’s Test career might be all but over.

Maxwell, 36, last played Test cricket for Australia in 2017 but came agonizingly close to adding to his 7 Test appearances in the 2022 series away in Sri Lanka. As it turned out, Travis Head passing a late fitness test denied the all-rounder a comeback. 

He was hopeful of making a comeback in the Sri Lanka Tests later this month, but the selectors instead leaned towards the future, handing a maiden Test call-up to 21-year-old Cooper Connolly.

"There's always going to be people wanting to be there and I made no secret that I desperately wanted to be on that tour, but I can completely understand their reasoning,” Maxwell said after his snub, reported ESPNCricinfo.

"The fact that they're already in the World Test Championship final, they've got a couple of Tests in Sri Lanka and there's going to be some sub-continent tours over the next few years, so they get to look at a few new guys in those conditions.”

Maxwell said that had he been a selector, he would have made the same calls taken by the George Bailey-led selection committee. 

"What an experience for those guys to go over there - Cooper Connolly on his first Test tour - I certainly would've made the same decision as they have."

It will require a miracle for Maxwell to play Test cricket again, but the 36-year-old refused to make any calls about his future in the longest format.

"I'm not making any future plans right now," Maxwell said. "I'm looking forward to a week off and Sunday."