Freak nets injury rules Glenn Maxwell out of New Zealand T20Is

Glenn Maxwell suffered a freak injury in the nets at Mount Maunganui, ruling him out of the three-match T20I series against hosts New Zealand. Maxwell was bowling to Mitch Owen, whose powerful hit struck the 36-year-old on the forearm. Scans have confirmed a fracture and Cricket Australia selectors have called up Josh Philippe into the squad as replacement.

Matthew Short, who was batting in the adjoining net, detailed the events. "I saw it out of the corner of my eye. We're training under a marquee, so it's really echo-y and loud," Short told cricket.com.au. "I saw (Owen) smoked it and then the aftermath, it hit Maxi on the wrist. It didn't sound good.

"(Owen) is not the guy you want to be bowling to in T20 training, that's for sure. Maxi's been there and gone through that (serious injuries) a couple of times now, he was a bit disappointed but it's just like any other injury. I'm sure he'll get through it."

This is the latest in a series of mishaps that have afflicted Maxwell during his fine international career. Three years ago he had broken his leg when his friend fell on him at a birthday party. The injury required surgery that Maxwell needs to manage even now. During the ODI World Cup in 2023, Maxwell suffered a concussion while falling off a golf cart.

Maxwell now faces a race against time in order to be fit for the start of the T20I series against India which begins on October 29 in Canberra. These two series were to intensify Australia's build-up to next year's T20 World Cup. Maxwell's loss is likely to be Marcus Stoinis' gain. The 36-year-old Stoinis, who hasn't been part of Australia's T20I squads since November last year, is likely to line-up in the middle-order alongside fellow big-hitters Owen and Tim David.

Australia squad: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