Australia was dealt a major blow just a day before the first T20I against New Zealand, when the veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was ruled out of the three-match series due to injury. Cricket Australia announced Josh Philippe as Maxwell’s replacement.
Mitch Owen’s powerful stroke, an injury at the nets
As Cricket.com.au disclosed, Glenn Maxwell let his arms roll for a few overs in the nets, only for a powerful shot from the experienced cricketer while he was bowling to Mitchell Owen to hit near his wrist, consequently fracturing his forearm.
Matthew Short, who was recalled for the T20I series against New Zealand, saw the incident from the side. He said it appeared quite nasty when Owen’s thunderbolt struck Maxwell during the net session.
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Cricket Australia was therefore, forced to rule Maxwell out from the series, naming Philippe as his replacement. It is worthy of notice that, having earlier sustained a calf strain in the ongoing series, Josh Inglis was the first Australian to get sidelined from the three-match series after being replaced by Alex Carey.”
Thus, Cricket Australia ruled Maxwell out of the series and named Philippe as his replacement. It is worth mentioning that with Maxwell sidelined, he is now the second Australian player to be ruled out of the three-match series following Josh Inglis, who was replaced earlier by Alex Care Alex Carey with a calf strain.
Maxwell has had his usual share of injuries, especially towards the twilight of his career. The talismanic Australian all-rounder fractured his leg about a year ago before suffering a concussion injury during the 2023 World Cup. With the T20 World Cup next year, Maxwell will be running against time for his fitness clearance for the tournament.
For the uninitiated, Philippe is a right-handed batsman who has represented Australia in twelve T20 Internationals and has managed to score 150 runs at an average of only 12.5, with a strike rate of 109.5. Therefore, Maxwell’s injury provides a great chance for him to assert himself and gain a more permanent position within the Australian T20I squad.
Australia’s updated squad for NZ T20Is
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
