In a turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will be absent from their highly anticipated World Cup match against England. The cause? A mishap involving a golf cart earlier this week that resulted in a concussion, leaving his availability for the crucial fixture in doubt.
Maxwell’s unfortunate accident occurred while he was enjoying a post-golf round ride on a buggy, just ahead of the impending showdown against the reigning champions in Ahmedabad scheduled for Saturday. The incident has triggered Cricket Australia’s strict concussion protocols, necessitating a period of close monitoring for Maxwell’s condition.
In response to inquiries from the press, head coach Andrew McDonald expressed his optimism regarding Maxwell’s recovery, stating, “He’s doing fine, he’ll commence some light exercises today, and we anticipate a relatively straightforward return-to-play protocol.”
The circumstances surrounding this incident were indeed fortuitous in one respect: Maxwell emerged with no additional injuries, a relief given the potential severity of the situation. McDonald remarked, “I think it rattled everyone, to be fair, once it became evident that a concussion would force him to miss a game. There was no element of misbehavior throughout the day; it was an unequivocal accident. Regrettably, it has disrupted our team’s plans.”
It’s worth noting that Maxwell had previously suffered a leg injury in a freak accident at a birthday party in Melbourne last November and had also been sidelined from Australia’s recent tour of South Africa due to an ankle issue. Despite these setbacks, Maxwell had been displaying exceptional form in the ongoing tournament, exemplified by his spectacular 40-ball century against the Netherlands.
McDonald acknowledged the challenges posed by Maxwell’s absence, saying, “There’s no denying that his non-participation leaves us somewhat vulnerable, especially in the latter stages of the game, considering how impressively Glenn has been performing.”
Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, as Marcus Stoinis is poised to become available, pending a successful training session. Australia’s World Cup journey will continue with matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh following their encounter with England. The cricketing world eagerly awaits Maxwell’s recovery and his return to the field.
