AUSTRALIAN big-hitter Glenn Maxwell is “highly unlikely” to be returning to Hampshire for a third spell in 2015.

That is the opinion of Maxwell’s manager, Tony Connolly.

Hampshire have signed bowler Yasir Arafat for next summer’s t20 competition, but still have room for another overseas signing.

Maxwell was a smash hit in his first stint at The Ageas Bowl in 2012, hitting 179 runs at 44.75 from seven innings with two explosive half centuries at Kent and Essex.

But he was a massive disappointment last summer, scoring only 127 runs from 11 innings at 11.54.

Connolly told the Daily Echo: “It’s highly unlikely that Glenn will be returning to Hampshire this year.

“Glenn is hoping to be picked for Australia’s World Cup squad and will be playing in the IPL (for Mumbai Indians) after that.

“He then wants to take a complete break for the first time in a few years before the start of the 2015-16 Australian season in October.

“If Hampshire had been able to offer Glenn an opportunity to spend the whole of the 2015 county season at the Rose Bowl, and play all forms of the game, he would probably have gone back.

“But that's not the case given they have signed Jackson Bird for part of the season.”

Donnolly, who also manages Bird, added: “Glenn has made it clear that he doesn't want to play for another county because he loves playing for Hampshire.

“Hopefully there will be an opportunity for him to go back and develop his game in all forms in 2016.”

Bird is currently continuing his comeback from injury by playing for Melbourne Stars in the KFC Big Bash, where he has taken four wickets at 24.75 in four matches so far.

His best return came at the weekend when he bagged 2-12 as the Stars routed cross-city rivals Melbourne Renegades for just 57.

Ex-Hampshire pair Kevin Pietersen (25) and Maxwell (10) had been small contributors to the Stars’ 169-6 total.