Australian All-rounder Glenn Maxwell May Skip India Series For World Cup

Kunal

Star Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is facing the prospect of missing the upcoming ODI series against India and potentially entering the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup with limited match practice due to ongoing ankle soreness. The injury stems from an incident at a friend's birthday party last year, and Maxwell is currently in Australia awaiting the birth of his first child. While he hopes to play some part in the India series, he emphasizes that his primary focus is on being fit for the World Cup.

Maxwell, a veteran of Australia's past two World Cup campaigns, plays a pivotal role as an all-rounder for the five-time champions, contributing with both bat and ball. However, he hasn't featured for the national team since March and hasn't played at any level since a brief appearance in an English County Championship match for Warwickshire in July.

Initially set to participate in the T20I series during Australia's tour of South Africa, Maxwell had to return home due to ankle soreness. Reflecting on the situation, he expressed surprise at the level of discomfort he experienced in South Africa. An inflamed ankle tendon and swelling were identified as the culprits behind the pain.

Maxwell is now undergoing cortisone treatment to address the issue and is eager to resume training and regain his fitness. He acknowledges the need for a more controlled preparation to avoid exacerbating the original injury.

"I'm already back in the gym, so I'll probably get back into full training probably this week, so it won't be a long turnaround. It's just knowing that I'm not over the hurdle of the original injury yet," Maxwell explained.

While Maxwell remains hopeful of making a comeback, the Australian team management and selectors are taking a cautious approach, prioritizing his long-term fitness and well-being. The focus is on ensuring he is fully prepared for the ICC Cricket World Cup, where his all-round skills will be invaluable for Australia's campaign.