Australia’s in-form allrounder Glenn Maxwell has been concussed after falling off a golf cart and will miss the World Cup clash against England.
Maxwell is under concussion protocols for up to eight days after his second freak accident in the past year.
Last November, Maxwell broke a leg when he slipped while pretending to chase a friend at a birthday party.
His latest mishap came during the cup in India when, after playing golf with teammates on Monday, he fell off a cart transporting players to the team bus.
“There was an unfortunate accident at a team golf day on Monday in which Glenn Maxwell fell from a golf cart and suffered a concussion,” a Cricket Australia (CA) spokesman said on Wednesday.
“Maxwell has been assessed by CA medical staff and been ruled out of Saturday’s World Cup match against England.
“The accident occurred during a scheduled day off. There is no further injury, beyond the concussion.”
Maxwell will continue to be assessed ahead of Australia’s match against England on Saturday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Glenn Maxwell celebrates his century. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
His injury paves the way for allrounder Marcus Stoinis to return from a calf ailment while also easing selection pressure on Marnus Labuschagne.
Labuschagne had been tipped to be replaced by Stoinis, if proven fit, or Cameron Green for the fixture against England.
Maxwell’s absence also robs captain Pat Cummins of a bowling option with the offspinner taking four wickets so far in the tournament.
Maxwell’s middle-order batting power will also be sorely missed – he smacked the fastest World Cup century, from just 40 balls, against the Netherlands on October 24.
The Victorian followed that record feat with 41 from just 24 deliveries in Australia’s five-run win against New Zealand last Saturday.
Australia, with three group games remaining, are fourth in the overall standings and in the box seat to secure a semi-final spot.
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After meeting arch-foe England, the Australians play Afghanistan and Bangladesh.