ODI Cricket World Cup: Glenn Maxwell to miss Australia-South Africa series for birth of son

Glenn Maxwell will miss Australia’s five-match ODI series against South Africa, saying he won’t let his World Cup preparation come between him and being home for the birth of his son.

Glenn Maxwell is set to become a father and won’t let his World Cup preparation come between him and being home for the birth.

The bulldozing Australian all-rounder heads to South Africa this week for a T20 series but will fly home midway through and miss the five-match ODI series to be back by wife Vini Raman’s side when ‘Mini Maxi’ enters the world in a month’s time.

Maxwell has been smashing himself in the gym over the past few weeks trying to squeeze a pre-season of sorts in before the World Cup, having recently still struggled with soreness related to the horrific broken leg he suffered late last year.

Wife Vini shared on social media earlier this year that the couple had privately endured a difficult road to parenthood, and Maxwell is ecstatic about the pending arrival of a baby boy.

Glenn Maxwell says he won’t let his World Cup preparations interfere with the coming birth of his son. Picture: Getty Images.

“I can’t wait. Got about a month to go. Looking forward to welcoming a new arrival, our little baby boy, and it’s going to make the summer look a little bit different. I can’t wait,” Maxwell told this masthead at the Kayo summer of cricket launch at the SCG on Monday.

“It’s a nice distraction to have off the field and puts everything else in perspective I suppose. I can concentrate on something else, and enjoy my cricket for the last few years.”

Glenn Maxwell and his wife, Vini, are expecting a baby boy. Picture: Instagram, vini.raman.

Vini Raman dubbed ‘Mini Maxi’ a ‘Rainbow Baby’ earlier in the year, a reference to the sunshine that can follow the turmoil of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

“For those that aren’t aware a rainbow baby is a baby born after miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, stillbirth or neonatal death. It symbolises the rainbow that happens after a storm,’” she said.

“ … It’s so important for us to acknowledge this journey has not been the smoothest or easiest.

“I know first-hand how painful it can be to see posts like these wondering if and when your time will be.

“We send our love and strength to other couples who are struggling with fertility or loss.”

Maxwell pulled out of the Hundred tournament in England after beginning to struggle with soreness towards the end of his stint with Warwickshire in the UK T20 competition.

It highlights what a huge accomplishment it’s been for Maxwell to get back on the field and play as much cricket he has this year, months’ after a freak broken leg suffered at a mate’s birthday party threatened his career.

“I’m extremely proud getting back and being able to play and I still played a fair bit of cricket this year,” Maxwell said.

“I think just having those back to back tournaments of the IPL into Warwickshire, and only small gaps in between games, not having access to the same quality recovery facilities as I had at IPL … I was tired, I was a bit sore and I struggled to get through games.”

After welcoming his baby boy into the world, Maxwell will rejoin Australian teammates in India ahead of the World Cup kicking off in October.

Originally published as ODI Cricket World Cup: Glenn Maxwell to miss Australia-South Africa series for birth of son