Cricket World Cup: Glenn Maxwell’s recovery from cramps on track for Bangladesh

Josh Hazlewood has revealed that Glenn Maxwell’s World Cup heroics against Afghanistan almost came to an abrupt end at the hands of the Australian medical team, writes DANIEL CHERNY.

Glenn Maxwell is due for a light couple of days but has been backed to overcome his debilitating full body cramps in time to face Bangladesh on Saturday.

So badly was Maxwell feeling the strain of Mumbai’s humidity during his superhero-like double century against Afghanistan on Tuesday night that he almost retired hurt on 147, repeatedly turned down singles, barely showed any footwork late in his innings and was so restricted in his movement that he could not make it across one side of the Wankhede to the other to attend the official ICC press conference.

Maxwell was already being carefully managed by Australian high-performance staff after struggling with an ankle injury before the tournament and then being concussed after falling off the back of a golf cart in Ahmedabad last Monday, an injury that forced him out of Australia’s win over England.

Having guaranteed a semi-final against South Africa next week on the back of Maxwell’s knock, there is less urgency for Australia to field a full-strength side against the Tigers in Pune.

Glenn Maxwell falls on the ground after a muscle cramp during his innings. Picture: AFP

Bangladesh has had a woeful tournament, winning just two of eight matches to date. Eliminated from the semi-final race, Bangladesh is still fighting to secure qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy, but has lost captain Shakib Al Hasan to a fractured finger, sustained during the controversial win over Sri Lanka, a match marred by the timed out dismissal of Sri Lanka veteran Angelo Mathews.

Having watched Maxwell’s matchwinning innings from the comfort of the Australian viewing room, paceman Josh Hazlewood said the all-rounder had been limited in his options once the cramps started to set in. Maxwell and Aussie team physio Nick Jones discussed

whether Maxwell should retire before deciding it was best for the Victorian to proceed.

“We’ve all sort of been maybe not to that extent, but in similar situations in our careers, and there’s not much you can do,” Hazlewood said.

“When you’re batting you can still swing the bat so you can still play a part in the game. I think as a bowler, if that starts to happen, you’re just off the field, you can’t come back on and you can’t do your role. So you’re sort of just sitting on the sidelines. So I guess that’s the difference. He’s putting his body through that and keeps continuing doing what he’s doing.”

Australia's Glenn Maxwell (R) celebrates with David Warner after his epic knock against Afghanistan. Picture: AFP

But despite the dramatic nature of his cramps, in which Maxwell seized up violently on the Wankhede square mid-innings, Hazlewood said he expected Maxwell would be right to go against Bangladesh.

“Yeah, I think so. It’s just about getting your hydration and your weight back to where it should have been before. I don’t think he’ll do too much in between now and then and it’s a couple of days. So hopefully, fingers crossed he’s all right,” Hazlewood said.

The Aussies travelled to Pune on Wednesday and are due to train on Thursday.

Australia’s semi-final date and venue won’t be determined until after India’s opponent in the other semi-final is determined. The clash with the Proteas will be in Kolkata on Thursday, unless Pakistan finishes fourth, in which place the Aussies will play South Africa in Mumbai on Wednesday. Mumbai has been ruled out of hosting any Pakistan match.

The final is in Ahmedabad on Sunday. All three matches have reserve days for weather.

Hazlewood has had a consistent tournament and was the pick of Australia’s bowlers against Afghanistan, taking 2-39 on the back of unerring accuracy.