Australia suffered a major blow when star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. The 34-year-old has aggravated an ankle injury on his left leg which was broken last year, resulting in his return home from South Africa. Wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade has returned to the Australian T20 squad in place of the injured Maxwell.
Australia’s troubles have increased after the experienced pair of Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith were also ruled out of the South African tour due to injuries. However, Cricket Australia is confident that the trio will regain full fitness for the ICC Cricket World Cup starting in India on October 5. Maxwell was already believed to have missed the ODI leg of the South African tour due to the birth of his first child. The 34-year-old, who still carries a metal plate in his left leg after fracturing it in a crash last November, further aggravated his ankle during Australia’s first training session in Durban.
Australian medical staff have advised a conservative approach considering the all-important ODI World Cup is less than a month and a half away.
“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,” said selector Tony Dodemaide. (via ESPNcricinfo.com)
Maxwell’s injury opened the door for Wade, who was instrumental in helping Australia win its maiden T20 World Cup in 2021. Wade was the player of the match in the semi-final against Pakistan, scoring a brilliant 41 off 17 balls to lead the team to victory. Tense chase. At the start of the month, Maxwell was upbeat about the progress his leg had made before leaving for South Africa.
“It’s been hard work. I’ve been smashing the gym non-stop and doing a lot of running and weight lifting trying to get my strength back in my left side. Hopefully come World Cup time it will be close to 100 per cent and I’ll be ready to go for the big tournament,” said Maxwell.
“I feel a bit more refreshed and ready to go what’s to come over this next little hectic period. I feel better placed where I have in previous World Cups where there have been multiple series leading in and you can get a little burnt out and you can get tired before the actual tournament.I feel like I’m in a better place mentally-wise,” added Maxwell
Australia will hope that the match-winning batsman, who is likely to play a key role with his off-spin as well, returns for the showpiece event. After three T20Is, Australia will play five ODIs against the Proteas before a three-match ODI series against India in preparation for the World Cup. The first of the three T20Is against South Africa begins in Durban on Wednesday, 30 August. This will also be
Australia’s first T20I match after a disappointing home World Cup last year and new captain Mitchell Marsh will be seen leading the side for the first time.
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Australia T20 squad for South Africa tour
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
