Glenn Maxwell is refusing to rule himself out of contention for Test duties in India despite the Australian allrounder recovering from a broken leg.
The 34-year-old fractured his left fibula in a bizarre accident during a backyard party for a friend's 50th birthday in Melbourne on Saturday.
Maxwell underwent surgery on Sunday and will miss an extended period, including the start of the Big Bash League
But the Melbourne Stars captain is targeting a return for the BBL and still wants to be considered for the blockbuster battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in February.
"Speaking to Glenn directly, he's pretty hopeful of getting back towards the end of the BBL tournament and then targeting the Indian Test tour," Stars coach David Hussey told RSN.
"Everyone knows what a wonderful player of spin he is and he has Indian experience.
"There's a few goals for him to obtain and that makes the rehabilitation process more focused - so he can try and achieve those goals."
One of the world's finest white-ball cricketers, Maxwell last played a Test back in 2017 but was a strong chance to be included in the squad to tour India in what is likely to be his last chance of earning a place for Australia in the five-day format.
On Australia's last tour of India, in 2017, Maxwell scored a brilliant 104 in Ranchi. He has played all seven of his Test matches in Asia.
It is understood Maxwell injured himself after slipping at the party, with his leg becoming trapped under another guest.
Neither person was intoxicated and the accident took place early in the evening, sources said.
Maxwell's leg-fracture is the latest in a string of bizarre injuries to cricketers.
Star England batter Jonny Bairstow was ruled out of the entire Twenty20 World Cup after breaking his leg playing golf in October.
And just days before the tournament was due to begin, fringe Australia batter Josh Inglis suffered a serious hand injury - also playing golf - and was replaced by powerful allrounder Cameron Green.
Maxwell's absence from the BBL is not only a blow to the Stars' title hopes but also to the league itself as it attempts to regain relevancy after a difficult few seasons complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and declining crowds.
