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Glenn Maxwell and Ellyse Perry in big signing news amid packed cricket schedule

The Aussie cricketers will continue to take their exploits overseas, in a major boost for fans.

Glenn Maxwell and Ellyse Perry, pictured here speaking to the media.
Glenn Maxwell and Ellyse Perry are among the Aussies heading back to The Hundred this year. Image: Getty

Glenn Maxwell's comeback from a career-threatening leg injury continues to gather steam, with the Aussie all-rounder retained to play in the 2023 edition of English cricket's 'The Hundred' competition. Maxwell announced this week that he's joining the Birmingham Bears in England for the Vitality Blast, in what will be one of his first T20 tournaments since breaking his leg.

The 34-year-old missed the BBL this summer after suffering the injury in a freak mishap during a friend's birthday party. He has since missed out on crucial games in the Sheffield Shield, which saw him miss out on selection for Australia's Test tour of India as a result.

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However the Aussie star has returned to training in recent weeks and has locked in his return to competition. Maxwell will join up with the Bears following the Indian Premier League in April and May.

He will then link up with the Lord's-based London Spirit in 'The Hundred' - a 100-ball event set to take place in August. Maxwell was one of half-a-dozen Australian players who were brought back by their franchises on Thursday. Ellyse Perry has been retained by Birmingham Phoenix, Alyssa Healy is returning to the Northern Superchargers, while the Trent Rockets have retained Alana King.

Kane Richardson will have another spell with the Edgbaston-based Phoenix men's outfit, while all-rounder Daniel Sams will head back to Nottingham with the Rockets. Other big names retained for the competition on Thursday were England stars Jonny Bairstow (Welsh Fire), Ben Stokes (Northern Superchargers) and Jofra Archer (Southern Brave).

There won't be as many Aussie women taking part in The Hundred this year due a busy year featuring the launch of the Women's Premier League in India. But Perry, who hit the jackpot when Royal Challengers Bangalore snapped her up for $297,000 in the WPL auction, will cash in again at Edgbaston where she was top scorer for the Phoenix last year.

Glenn Maxwell's return from devastating leg injury

Maxwell's return to competition will be a welcome sight for fans after the Aussie star said his freak injury very nearly cost him his career. "I can't wait to get stuck into a new challenge with the Bears. Edgbaston is a great place to play cricket with extremely passionate fans and I'm looking forward to joining an exciting list of players," he said this week.

Maxwell injured himself in November when he slipped on some slippery synthetic grass. He said he was pretending to chase one of his friends, but got his foot stuck as they both slipped and was caught underneath.

"He fell, unfortunately at a really bad angle and landed straight on my leg," he said soon after the accident. "It just snapped. I heard and felt every part of it. It was pretty painful."

Glenn Maxwell, pictured here during a Melbourne Stars game in the BBL.
Glenn Maxwell looks on during a Melbourne Stars game in the BBL. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) (Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)

The Victorian was seen training on the outfield at the MCG during last week's match between Victoria and Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. He will return to competition when he bats for Fitzroy-Doncaster on day two of their Victorian Premier Cricket match with Kingston Hawthorn on Saturday.]

He must then pass a fitness test before he can be selected for Victoria in the Shield clash with South Australia starting on Monday at Junction Oval. Maxwell has been named in an extended 13-man squad for Victoria, who have risen to second on the table after recent wins over Queensland and NSW.

"To bring a player of Glenn's calibre into the squad is exciting," Cricket Victoria head of male cricket David Hussey said. "He has a fantastic record in Shield cricket and it's a shame he hasn't been able to play more of it."

with AAP

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