Australia allrounder Glenn Maxwell has fractured his forearm and will miss this week’s three Twenty20 matches in New Zealand, the team announced on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old, who scored an unbeaten half-century
to lead Australia to a T20 series victory over South Africa last month, was hit on the wrist while bowling in the nets. He will return to Australia to consult a specialist.
Josh Philippe will replace Maxwell in the squad for the three matches against the Black Caps at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Philippe, a batter-wicketkeeper and a prolific run-scorer in Australia’s Big Bash League, was named player of the series in the recent Australia ‘A’ tour of India.
Matthew Short revealed the details of the freak incident.
“I saw it out of the corner of my eye. We’re training under a marquee, so it’s really echo-y and loud,” Short told cricket.com.au. “I saw (Owen) smoked it and then the aftermath, it hit Maxi on the wrist. It didn’t sound good.”
“(Owen) is not the guy you want to be bowling to in T20 training, that’s for sure. Maxi’s been there and gone through that (serious injuries) a couple of times now, he was a bit disappointed but it’s just like any other injury. I’m sure he’ll get through it,” he added.
The latest setback also puts his availability in doubt for the next month’s five-match T20I series against India at home.
Maxwell has a history of suffering freak injury including one three years ago when a friend fell on his leg during a birthday party. During the 2023, he suffered concussion after falling off a golf cart.
Australia updated squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matt Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
With Reuters Inputs
