Australian All-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been ruled out of the squad for the South African tour, The 34-year-old has suffered an ankle Injury during the training ahead of Australia’s T20I series against South Africa on Wednesday.
The all-rounder is to return home for the birth of his first child. He now joins the likes of Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and David Warner as key white-ball players who will miss at least the T20 leg of the tour. As quoted by Cricket Australia.
Matthew Wade will replace Glenn Maxwell for the South African tour.
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said:
“We are taking a precautionary approach, given Glenn was heading home next week in any case, We will monitor Glenn’s recovery with a view to him being available for the three-match ODI series in India in advance of the World Cup.”
Maxwell said:
“It’s been hard work. I’ve been smashing the gym non-stop and doing a lot of running and weight lifting trying to get my strength back in my left side,” Maxwell told cricket.com.au before departing for South Africa.
“Hopefully come World Cup time it will be close to 100 per cent and I’ll be ready to go for the big tournament.
“The timing of (the broken leg) actually wasn’t too bad. I played a lot of cricket leading up into that summer, so to have that break away from the game, even though it was a forced break, you can refocus your goals.
“I feel a bit more refreshed and ready to go what’s to come over this next little hectic period. I feel better placed where I have in previous World Cups where there have been multiple series leading in and you can get a little burnt out and you can get tired before the actual tournament.
“I feel like I’m in a better place mentally-wise.”