Maxwell, who last played first-class cricket 18 months ago, had been eager to add to his seven Test appearances. But the 36-year-old holds no grudges over selectors looking to the future, with Australia’s spot in the World Test Championship final already secure.
“It’s just selection,” Maxwell said. “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.
“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 a few new guys in those conditions.
“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.”
Maxwell has not played Test cricket since 2017 and appears unlikely to regain his spot in the national side in the longest form of the game.
All of his Test appearances have come in Asia, with selectors previously valuing his spin bowling and ability to bat against the turning ball.
Maxwell would have almost certainly gone to India for the Border-Gavaskar trophy series in 2023, but broke his leg at a friend’s backyard party only months before.
The result kept Stars’ finals hopes alive with one regular-season match left to play, against Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday.
“I’m not making any future plans right now,” Maxwell said. “I’m looking forward to a week off and Sunday.”
