Glenn Maxwell might not play in the Big Bash until after Christmas

A nasty hamstring injury suffered playing for Australia is continuing to impact Glenn Maxwell’s Big Bash campaign.

Glenn Maxwell might not play for the Melbourne Stars until after Christmas having failed to recover from his hamstring injury in time for his team’s second match of the BBL season on Wednesday night.

The explosive star missed his team’s BBL opening loss to the Perth Scorchers after hurting himself while playing a T20 for Australia in November and it had been hoped he’d be ready for the MCG clash with the Heat.

But the 36-year-old, who trained on Tuesday, didn’t to enough to take his place and the Stars only play once more, against the Strikers in Adelaide on Friday, before a Boxing Day showdown with the Sydney Sixers at the MCG which could be a more likely return game.

Glenn Maxwell hurt his hamstring playing for Australia

His recovery is being monitored by Cricket Australia and it understood caution is being urged for Maxwell who looms as key to Australia’s Champions Trophy ODI campaign in 2025.

But in better news, Hilton Cartwright was named in the Stars’ squad following a scary incident in the field during last Sunday’s opening loss to the Perth Scorchers, having been cleared of a major injury after being sent to hospital.

England international Ben Duckett, who was the No.1 pick for the Stars in the BBL draft, is set to join the squad for Friday’s match in Adelaide after the conclusion of the Test series in New Zealand on Tuesday.

Three changes for our home opener at the @MCG 🏟️

Details ⏬https://t.co/H0mkhoI2zzpic.twitter.com/sZ5Qtlh1Ug

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) December 17, 2024

Stars Kiwi quick Adam Milne, who took a wicket second ball in Perth on Sunday, is only a three-game contract as a replacement player and said he wanted to have the best impact he could in his short stay.

“I’m trying to impact the team, help them get off to a good start,” he said.

“Obviously not ideal to start the first game like that but there were still some positive things to take out of it.

“If I can help the team win these last two I’m involve din, then it puts the team in a good place for the back end of the tournament.”