GLENN Maxwell is hoping his forthcoming spell with Yorkshire can help reignite his Test career with Australia.
Maxwell was initially signed as Yorkshire’s specialist overseas player for the NatWest T20 Blast competition, although a hamstring injury for his good mate Aaron Finch has handed him an opportunity to play four-day cricket as well.
After the batting all-rounder debuts in Friday’s T20 clash with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, he will play in the LV= County Championship against Somerset at Taunton on Sunday.
Maxwell, 26, has played three Tests, the last of which came last November against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
Once Finch returns to fitness, Maxwell is likely to drop back into second XI cricket.
“I’m particularly looking forward to playing some red ball cricket,” said the Victorian.
“Even though my primary responsibility is the T20 competition, I’m really excited about the longer format opportunities, both in the Championship and with the second XI.
“Hopefully I can contribute in that area and spend some serious time in the middle.
“I haven’t had a lot of time spent working on my game in the longer format.
“I only managed one innings in eight months, which is extremely frustrating, especially when people pigeon-hole you as a one-format player.
“I hope that I can spend some quality time playing in English conditions and really develop my longer form game.
“I have ambitions of forcing my way back into the Test team. It is my main goal. That’s why I need to try and play as much first-class cricket as possible. There is the Bangladesh tour after the Ashes and I have an eye on that.”
Meanwhile, Jason Gillespie has spoken for the first time about links to the vacant England coaching job, admitting it would “certainly take persuading” to leave Headingley.
Gillespie has described the links as “very humbling” and “very flattering” after being named as a candidate to replace sacked Peter Moores by new director of England cricket Andrew Strauss.
But the 40-year-old, who recently signed a winter contract to coach Adelaide Strikers in the Australian T20 Big Bash, said: “I wake up every morning, and I’m in my dream job. It would certainly take persuading (to leave).
“I haven't had any contact, and until that happens I can't say anything. We'll just have to wait and see. Strauss mentioned my name publicly, so I may get a call.”
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