A freak injury while batting in the nets has ruled Glenn Maxwell out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand. Josh Philippe has been drafted into the squad as his replacement. Cricket Australia confirmed the development on 30 September.
Maxwell was bowling to Mitch Owen during a training session in the nets at Mount Maunganui. Owen drove a powerful shot that struck Maxwell near the wrist.
Having witnessed the incident from close range, Matthew Short recounted what happened: “I saw it out of the corner of my eye. We’re training under a marquee, so it’s really echoey and loud,” Short told cricket.com.au. “I saw (Owen) smoke 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.”
Maxwell has a history of suffering freak injuries. Three years ago, he suffered a broken leg after a friend accidentally fell on him at a party. During the 2023 World Cup, he sustained a concussion in another bizarre incident, falling off a golf cart. He will need medical assessment for his current injury and remains in doubt for the upcoming five-match home T20I series against India.
Selectors have included Philippe, who is in excellent form with the bat. The wicketkeeper-batter won the Player of the Series award against India A in the recently concluded two-match series.
The Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui will host the three-match series, starting on 1 October.
Revised Australia 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
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