Australia’s veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell suffered a freak injury while bowling in the nets that led to a fractured wrist. In addition to getting ruled out of entire T20I series against New Zealand, he will not feature in the first two T20Is against Australia as well. As Maxwell continues his rehabilitation, he reveals he had surgery last week just to have a chance to play remaining three T20Is of the series against India next month.
"I think having the surgery last week sort of gives me a little bit more hope of playing some part in that India series, if I can get myself right," Maxwell said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "The only reason I had the surgery was the options they gave me were miss that series completely and no surgery, or have surgery and it gives me a slim chance to hopefully play a part. And if not, I'll be ready earlier for the BBL, and I think it leaves me in good stead to get the rest of my body right."
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Maxwell got the cast removed off his wrist on October 8 and met the therapist wearing a moulded plastic splint.
"I only met with a hand therapist yesterday. He only gave me some really basic movements, things that look really boring, but I suppose they're going to strengthen the wrist," Maxwell said.
Maxwell on how he got injured
Maxwell had suffered the injury while attempting to stop a shot from Mitchell Owen.
"I was probably just a bit unlucky with the position that it hit me on the arm. When it hit me, I thought I was lucky that it hit just bone and it wasn't too much flesh, and it was going to be right. But, yeah, another unlucky one," Maxwell said.
In hindsight, Maxwell feels that he should not bowl to Aussie big-hitters in the nets. In the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL), he intends to bowl a different line and length to them.
"I try to avoid bowling to those guys. Guys like Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Mitch Owen and Cam Green, long levers, strong, it just comes back too quick. It's not fun, But I should know better. I should know better to bowl into the hip and I'll be doing that I think come BBL time," the 36-year-old said.
Ashes-bound to skip last 3 T20Is vs India?
The first two T20Is are scheduled to take place on October 29 and 31 respectively. Cricket Australia is yet to announce the squad for the remaining three T20Is to be played between November 2 and 8. Chief selector George Bailey has already indicated that the players from the Ashes squad may skip the latter part of the five-T20I series to focus on red-ball cricket.