Boland, Maxwell boost Vics in historic Junction Oval fixture

Scott Boland will have a final hit out before jetting off to South Africa for next month's Test series, with Glenn Maxwell also set to play for Victoria for the first time in more than a year.

The experienced pair have been named in the Vics' one-day squad for Friday's clash with archrivals NSW, which will be the first match played under lights at Junction Oval after floodlights were installed at the St Kilda venue during the off-season.

Victoria squad v NSW: Will Sutherland (c), Austin Anlezark, Scott Boland, Liam Blackford, Harry Dixon, Sam Elliott, Harry Hoekstra, Blake Macdonald, Glenn Maxwell, Tom Rogers, Matt Short, Doug Warren

 

NSW squad v Victoria: Lachlan Shaw (c), Sean Abbott, Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Bryce Jackson, Riley Kingsell, Nic Maddinson, Jack Nisbet, Kurtis Patterson, Will Salzmann, Tanveer Sangha, Jake Scott, Charlie Stobo

Boland heads to South Africa next week ahead of the highly anticipated three-Test tour beginning in Durban on October 9.

The 37-year-old paceman hasn't played since last season's Sheffield Shield final loss after being squeezed out of the Australian XI for last month's Top End Tests against Bangladesh following the returns of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood from injury.

Boland and Michael Neser are the two auxiliary quicks in Australia's 16-man squad to face the reigning world Test champions.

Maxwell meanwhile didn't take a state contract this season after losing his Cricket Australia deal following his retirement from the one-day international format last year. The 37-year-old allrounder is still available for T20Is and Victoria, and continues to play on the franchise circuit, signing a two-year extension with Big Bash club Melbourne Stars in January.

He recently played in the new European T20 Premier League, with the team he captains and co-owns, Belfast Wolves, losing the inaugural final to Edinburgh on Sunday.

Maxwell hit 245 runs for the tournament from 12 innings at a strike rate of almost 170. He played two 50-over games for the Vics last summer, blasting an incredible 73-ball century in the first against Queensland at Allan Border Field.

"Any time (Boland and Maxwell) can come in and help us … particularly their influence on the developing players in our squad, but then their performances as well, we know when we get those two back in that they're going to lift us as a team," Victorian coach Chris Rogers said.

"It's exciting for us, especially coming off such a good win (against Queensland), that makes them want to be a part of it as well."

Missing as many as nine players through injuries and Australian representation, Victoria won their One-Day Cup season-opener off the second last ball against Queensland as they chased down 336 in Brisbane on Saturday.

Wicketkeeper Liam Blackford was the star with an unbeaten 149 on debut, with captain Will Sutherland resurrecting the innings with a century of his own.

NSW also won their first match of the campaign, also against the Bulls at AB Field, where they reeled in an even heftier target of 359 on Tuesday night.

Their own debutants, Riley Kingsell (79) and Jake Scott (52no off 39) stood up, with allrounder Will Salzmann (70no off 65) getting them home with an over to spare.

"This is a significant occasion for Victorian cricket and a fantastic opportunity for our players and supporters to experience the Junction Oval in a completely different way," Rogers added.

"To play the inaugural match under lights at our home ground is really exciting, and we're looking forward to seeing a strong Victorian crowd make the most of the public holiday and get behind the team.

"The manner of our win against Queensland demonstrated the belief and resilience within this group.

"Liam (Blackford), Harry Hoekstra and Doug Warren all made their debuts and were three of our best four players.

"Will (Sutherland) and Liam produced two outstanding innings under enormous pressure, but our focus now shifts to building on that performance against NSW."

Victoria also has Australia-capped allrounder Matt Short in their squad to take on NSW, while the Blues will have Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis at their disposal.

Batters Dylan Brasher and Mitchell Jamieson make way for Boland and Maxwell in the home side's 12-man squad.

The Junction Oval clash begins at 2pm on Friday, September 25, which is the state's grand final public holiday. Tickets can be purchased here and at the venue, with MCC, Renegades and Stars members also able to present their membership card to gain access.

2026-27 One-Day Cup standings

Round 1

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	Drawn D	No results N/R	Net Run Rate NRR	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	1	1	0	0	0	0	4.863	0	0	0	5
2 NSW Men NSW	1	1	0	0	0	0	0.167	0	0	0	4
3 Victoria Men VIC	1	1	0	0	0	0	0.103	0	0	0	4
4 South Australia Men SA	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2
5 Western Australia Men WA	2	0	1	0	0	1	-4.863	0	0	0	2
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	2	0	2	0	0	0	-0.132	0	0	0	0

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

NRR: Net Run Rate

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points