Maxwell's Shock Return: No Contract, Big Impact for Victoria

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-23

Glenn Maxwell is back in Victoria's One-Day Cup squad to face New South Wales, and he's doing it without a contract. Just five days after captaining the Belfast Wolves in the ETPL final in Dublin, Maxwell will suit up for the first floodlit match at the Junction Oval on Friday. Scott Boland also returns for a single outing before joining Australia's Test squad in South Africa. ### Maxwell's Surprise Return Without a Contract Maxwell retired from ODI cricket in early 2025 and doesn't hold a contract with Victoria or Cricket Australia. He was removed from CA's central contract list earlier this year, though he hasn't formally retired from Test cricket. Australia have only five T20Is scheduled in the 2026-27 contract year, and Maxwell was left out of the most recent T20I series against Bangladesh in June. Despite all that, he'd talked with Victoria about playing in the One-Day Cup earlier in the winter. That conversation turned into a squad spot against NSW in Melbourne, right after his ETPL commitments in Ireland. This isn't his first One-Day Cup game since retiring from ODIs. He played two matches for Victoria last September, including his maiden List A century for the state, but he was still contracted to CA then, and those games were preparation for a T20I tour of New Zealand. Victoria have four One-Day Cup fixtures left before the BBL starts: September 25, October 12, October 24, and November 16. Coach Chris Rogers hasn't said whether Maxwell will play beyond Friday. ### Boland Set for One Outing Before Joining Test Squad Scott Boland will get one game with Victoria before flying to South Africa on Sunday to join Australia's Test squad. He missed Victoria's win over Queensland in Brisbane last week, the team's opening match of the season. Rogers said having contracted players like Boland helps the squad both through performance and by setting an example for younger players. He added that the timing of the fixture, on the eve of the AFL Grand Final, should draw a strong crowd given the players involved. > "The depth being shown by uncapped players reflects positively on the structure of Victoria's playing program," Rogers said. ### Victoria Manage a Squad Stretched Across Commitments Victoria are missing several players on national duty. Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Todd Murphy, and Fergus O'Neill are with the Australia A squad in India, while Ollie Peake is with Australia's ODI squad in South Africa. Everyone except Murphy is expected back for the October 12 match. Murphy will stay with Australia A for three one-day fixtures ending October 11. Rogers admitted that fitting all contracted players back into the side will be tough as the season goes on. He also praised the younger players in the win over Queensland, where Victoria chased down 336 after being 14 for 4. Debutant centuries from Liam Blackford and captain Will Sutherland led the way. - Maxwell's return adds star power without a contract. - Boland gets one tune-up before Test duty. - Victoria's depth shines with young players stepping up. For more cricket news and updates, visit JeetWin Blog!