Cricket World Cup 2019: Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell rushed to hospital after being hit during net session

Australia’s seamless World Cup campaign has hit a major hurdle on the eve of the semi-finals after an intense net session left one batsman with a broken arm and another in hospital.

Shaun Marsh was hit on the wrist by a fast Pat Cummins delivery.

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Peter Handscomb has received a World Cup lifeline on the eve of the semi-finals, with the elegant batsman rushed into Australia’s squad to replace Shaun Marsh, who will require an operation to fix a broken forearm sustained at training.

The damage was done when Marsh was struck on the right wrist by a Pat Cummins thunderbolt.

Glenn Maxwell was also sent to hospital for scans, along with Marsh, after a fiery net session in Manchester.

He had only just replaced Maxwell in the far net, because a Starc bouncer cannoned into Maxwell’s right forearm.

Shaun Marsh was hit on the wrist by a fast Pat Cummins delivery.

Maxwell screamed in pain as medical staff rushed over to him. He looked angry and frustrated as he was escorted out of the Old Trafford nets with doctor Richard Saw.

“Shaun Marsh has had scans on his right forearm after being struck while practising in the nets at training today,” said coach Justin Langer.

“Unfortunately, the scans have revealed Shaun has suffered a fracture to his forearm which will require surgery.”

“This is obviously shattering news for Shaun and the squad. Throughout this tournament, his spirit, professionalism and the way he has competed has been typically outstanding.”

Glenn Maxwell has had a tough time of it at the World Cup.

“Glenn Maxwell also underwent scans after he was struck on his right forearm in the nets.”

“The scans have cleared Glenn of any serious damage and we’ll continue to monitor him over the coming days. We are hopeful he will be fit to perform for us on Saturday against South Africa.”

Maxwell’s weakness against short balls was put on the agenda by Andrew Symonds, an observation Langer said was fair.

“He has to work really hard on that area,” Langer said just minutes before the brutal net session.

“He’s so good against spin bowling, he’s so good against medium pace bowling ... that they bring their fast bowlers back on (for him).

A Pat Cummins thunderbolt crashed into the wrist of Shaun Marsh.

“He’s aware of that and he’s working hard to remedy that.”

The double blow overshadowed earlier scares to Jason Behrendorff and Steve Smith, who both clutched at fingers.

After Marsh — who played two World Cup games when Marcus Stoinis had a side strain — and Maxwell were carted off, Kane Richardson joked that the Aussies would have to turn to 70-year-old selector Greg Chappell, who was watching on from the sidelines.

“Who’s up next? GC, you’re up next,” Richardson said.

With Marsh ruled out Australia have opted for Handscomb, who was with the Australia A players about four hours away in Brighton.

“Luckily we’ve got the Australia A guys, who are close by, they’ve just played four one-dayers,” Langer said.

“There’s a couple of guys in good form. Worst case scenario, that’s why we had the guys over here, in case someone got injured.

“We’ll be praying that they’re not for their sake and our sake but if they are we’ll deal with it.”

Langer had no concerns about his star batsmen facing Starc and Cummins in the nets on the eve of World Cup semi-finals.

“It’s actually a benefit to us. It’s unfortunate today that a couple of guys got hit, but we always say you train hard, you play easy,” he said.

Justin Langer defended Mitchell Starc’s aggression in the nets.

“So if you can play against the best bowlers in the world, then that hopefully makes the job in the middle a lot easier.

“It’s unfortunate we have accidents in the game, and in all sports you have accidents, but that’s what we pride ourselves on, we train really hard so we’re right for the games.”

While Behrendorff escaped with a broken nail, Steve Smith moped around in discomfort after hurting his right pinky finger during slips catching.

Smith then faced about six balls but then required strapping to continue batting.

Captain Aaron Finch said you had to “take the good with the bad” when facing lethal teammates in the nets.

“You still have to prepare every game the same and you don’t want to feel underdone walking out to the middle and facing someone like (Kagiso) Rabada or (Jasprit) Bumrah or Mark Wood.

Justin Langer said the Aussies had strength in depth if Maxwell or Marsh were ruled out.

“It’s not ideal if people do get injured, but at the end of the day you still have to be preparing for international cricket.

“Our quicks have to prepare. They’re going to have to bowl to (Quinten) de Kok and (Hashim) Amla and (Aiden) Markram and these guys on Saturday.

“If you’re facing the best bowlers un the world in the nets and you’re batting well you know you’re in good hands walking out to the middle against any opposition.

“It’s important you still get that work done.”

Originally published as Cricket World Cup 2019: Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell rushed to hospital after being hit during net session