Glenn Maxwell has opted out of his Victorian contract to become a full-time freelancer. The 37-year-old white-ball star made this decision after losing his Cricket Australia contract.
What happened?
Maxwell and Matt Short were absent from Victoria's contract list, announced on Tuesday morning, as they chose to continue representing their state around various T20 commitments across the globe.
The pair's decision comes after they lost their Cricket Australia contracts. Maxwell was left out due to being a one-format player and the Australian team's heavy Test cricket schedule ahead.
Why it matters for Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell retired from the ODI format following last year's Champions Trophy semi-final loss to India but still wants to play T20 international cricket. He scored 99 runs in eight innings in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League.
Maxwell's recent form has been a concern, with scores of 9, 31, and 22 during Australia's group stage exit at the T20 World Cup. Despite this, he is open to playing 50-over cricket for Victoria, having featured in two One Day Cup matches last summer.
What comes next?
Short, who was culled from the Australian squad for the T20 World Cup, will continue to push for a place in next year's World Cup squad. He has played only two games for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, going wicketless and making scores of 34 and 2.
The ILT20's shift to November will likely reduce Short's state appearances, with him set to be in Dubai during a busy period of domestic cricket. Maxwell and Short are not the first Australians to forgo state deals, with Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis, and Jason Behrendorff making similar decisions in recent years.
Cricket Victoria's head of male cricket, David Hussey, stated that the program is in reasonably good shape despite losing the Sheffield Shield final to South Australia. Victoria finished the season on top by a record amount of points, which is a testament to the team's performance throughout the year.
Maxwell's decision to opt out of his Victorian contract will allow him to focus on his T20 commitments and prepare for the upcoming international schedule. With his experience and skills, he will be a valuable asset to any team he represents