Cricket World Cup: Australia’s Glenn Maxwell injury concerns, withdraws from South Africa tour
Australia’s World Cup plans have been rocked by injury concerns around Glenn Maxwell relating to his horrific broken leg suffered last year.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australia has been dealt a major blow in the lead-up to the World Cup, with all-round x-factor Glenn Maxwell still appearing to struggle with complications stemming from the horrific broken leg he suffered last year.
Maxwell has aggravated his left ankle during a training session in South Africa and will immediately fly home and miss the Twenty20 series against the Proteas.
Matthew Wade has already arrived in South Africa as Maxwell’s replacement for the three-match series starting on Thursday in Durban.
Cricket Australia say they’re taking a conservative route with Maxwell given he was already flying home from the one-day component of the South African tour for the birth of his child and expect him to be fit for the World Cup.
However, Maxwell will now have precious little cricket before the World Cup, with medicos hoping he’s back for three warm-up matches against India pre-tournament.
There is no more unique cricketer in Australia’s white ball set-up and what he brings to the table with his game-breaking batting and spin bowling is impossible to replace.
To lose Maxwell would throw out the entire balance of Australia’s best XI.
Australia is also hoping there are no further setbacks for three other of their World Cup stars, Mitchell Starc (groin), Pat Cummins and Steve Smith (both wrist).
All are expected to be fine for the World Cup, with Starc’s groin probably the most delicate injury out of the three to manage after a long Ashes.
Australia must cut its World Cup squad down to 15 by September 28.
Maxwell has played plenty of cricket since recovering from the freak broken leg he suffered at a friend’s birthday party late last year, but the strain of back-to-back matches started to take a toll on him towards the end of England’s T20 Blast competition, prompting him to withdraw from the Hundred.
Australia is going to have to tread carefully to condition Maxwell properly for the arduous World Cup schedule without overcooking him before the start line.
Maxwell had been working hard putting in a condensed pre-season in Melbourne before the South African series, but unfortunately has suffered a setback with his ankle during the team’s first training session in Durban.
“We are taking a precautionary approach, given Glenn was heading home next week in any case,” Australian selector Tony Dodemaide said.
“We will monitor Glenn’s recovery with a view to him being available for the three-match ODI series in India in advance of the World Cup.”
For veteran Wade, his call-up to serve as a specialist middle-order batsman proves his international career is far from dead and he is still on the radar ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
Originally published as Cricket World Cup: Australia’s Glenn Maxwell injury concerns, withdraws from South Africa tour
Crash: Why selectors distanced themselves from Smith’s decision
It’s no surprise Australia put a bomb under the plan to make Steve Smith an opener but it was a surprise who lit the fuse, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Teen phenom in Test frame as selectors backflip on Smith plan
The picture for Australia’s first Test team is becoming clearer – with chief selector George Bailey revealing plenty after the announcement of the Australia A squad.