Maxwell plots path to Ashes

GLENN Maxwell says he has signed for Lancashire in a bid to secure a place in Australia’s Ashes side.

The batsman will play the opening Specsavers County Championship match, the whole of the Royal London One-Day Cup and the Vitality Blast next season.

The plan is then for him to replace Lancashire’s other overseas player – Joe Burns – in the Championship side at the end of the season, with Burns expected to be in the Aussie squad for the Ashes having been called up to their Test side for the forthcoming series against Bangladesh.

But Maxwell, who is expected to be part of Australia’s World Cup squad, says he is hoping to be in the Ashes side with Burns.

“I’ve certainly made it clear that I wouldn’t have gone to England this year if I wasn’t still trying to play Test cricket,” Maxwell said. “There’s a big thought from my side that I’m not getting enough first-class cricket in Australia and that’s probably shown by this summer. I’m only going to play two Sheffield Shield games for the whole season.

“And when you play more white ball trying to get ready for that World Cup it’s going to hurt your chances of pushing forward your Test selections.

“So, I’ve taken it out of their hands and signed with a County early so at least I can give myself some sort of red-ball cricket and some sort of longerform experience.”