Glenn Maxwell had the cast removed from his fractured wrist on Wednesday and has commenced mobility exercises, with hopes of potentially participating in the final three T20 Internationals against India.
Glenn Maxwell remains optimistic about his chances of playing a role in Australia`s upcoming T20I series against India, despite undergoing surgery on his right wrist last week. The injury occurred when he was struck on the wrist by a powerful shot from Mitchell Owen during net practice, leading up to the T20I series against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui.
Maxwell was promptly sent home to consult a specialist and opted for surgery to accelerate his recovery period to four weeks, aiming to give himself a potential opportunity to feature against India.
While Maxwell was not included in Australia`s squad for the initial two T20Is on October 29 and 31 in Canberra and Melbourne, he expressed hope in Melbourne on Thursday of being fit enough to play in the concluding three matches: the third on November 2 in Hobart, the fourth on November 6 on the Gold Coast, and the final match on November 8 in Brisbane.
“I believe that undergoing surgery last week provides me with a bit more optimism about playing some part in the India series, provided I can get myself right,” Maxwell stated. “My sole reason for having the surgery was the options presented: either miss the entire series without surgery, or undergo surgery and have a slight chance to participate. If not, I`ll be ready earlier for the BBL, which I think puts me in a good position to get the rest of my body in shape.”
Maxwell confirmed that his cast was removed on Wednesday, and he will now wear a molded plastic splint for wrist protection. Crucially, he has been cleared to begin moving his wrist again. “I only met with a hand therapist yesterday,” Maxwell mentioned. “He gave me very basic movements, which seem mundane, but I assume they are designed to strengthen the wrist.”
An early return for the latter half of the India series is unlikely to pose additional risks of further injury. Maxwell indicated that the primary concern would be pain management, depending on how his wrist feels during batting.
This incident adds another peculiar entry to Maxwell`s history of unusual injuries, which includes a broken leg sustained at a birthday party and a concussion from falling off a golf cart.
“I was probably just a bit unlucky with the exact spot it hit my arm,” Maxwell commented. “When it struck me, I initially thought I was fortunate it only hit bone and not much flesh, and that it would be fine. But, yes, another unfortunate one.”
The injury has prompted him to reconsider bowling in the nets to powerful hitters like Owen and some of his other teammates. “I try to avoid bowling to those guys,” Maxwell revealed. “Players like Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Mitch Owen, and Cam Green—they have long levers and are strong; the ball comes back too quickly. It`s not enjoyable, but I should know better. I should know better to bowl towards the hip, and I intend to do that by BBL time.”
Maxwell was disappointed to miss the series against New Zealand, given his excellent form. In his last T20I innings in August against South Africa, he guided Australia to a series victory with a remarkable 62 not out from 36 balls in a thrilling chase. Later in September, despite retiring from ODI cricket earlier in the year, he played two Australian domestic One-Day Cup matches for Victoria in preparation for the New Zealand tour, smashing 107 off 82 balls against Queensland.
When questioned about a timeline for the end of his T20I career or if the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics were on his mind, he responded that he hadn`t considered anything beyond December.
“I`m literally focused on round one of the BBL at the moment,” Maxwell said. “Let`s get there first. If I`m still enjoying my cricket by then… I`m not setting any specific dates.”
Maxwell is enthusiastic about the upcoming BBL season, where he aims to help the Melbourne Stars claim an elusive BBL title. Last season, he was a joint Player of the Tournament as the team reached the finals for the first time since their heartbreaking loss in the 2019-20 final to the Melbourne Renegades, under his captaincy.
He believes the arrival of former India spinner R Ashwin will significantly boost the BBL season.
“That`s truly exciting,” Maxwell affirmed. “It`s fantastic for the competition. I think whenever you can bring world-class superstars with his kind of career into the BBL, it`s a huge asset for us. He`s been incredibly successful and possesses a great deal of cricketing wisdom. I believe he will contribute immensely to the players in the BBL. It`s not just for the Sydney Thunder; I think players competing against him will likely ask him many questions, and he will undoubtedly attract a large number of fans.”
