Glenn Maxwell Sidelined for Australia’s Clash Against England Due to Concussion

The dynamic Australian all-rounder will sit out the upcoming World Cup match against England in Ahmedabad due to a concussion he sustained in a peculiar accident. Maxwell reportedly slipped and fell from the back of a golf cart on October 30. While he hasn’t suffered any major injuries, he has been placed under concussion protocols, rendering him unavailable for the match scheduled for November 4. However, Maxwell is expected to make a swift recovery and be ready for the subsequent game against Afghanistan and the remainder of the tournament.

Australian Head Coach Andrew McDonald disclosed the details of this “unfortunate accident,” which transpired around in evening following the conclusion of the Australian team’s golf event.

“During the return journey from the clubhouse to the team bus, Glenn Maxwell fell off the back of a cart and suffered a minor concussion. Consequently, he will follow concussion protocols for the prescribed period, and will, unfortunately, miss the England match,” McDonald explained.

No replacement is required as he will undergo a six to eight-day concussion protocol. Therefore, he will not be available for the England match. Nevertheless, within the squad, we have the availability of players such as Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green. However, a decision has not been made as of now,” McDonald added.

The incident occurred after the golf event when the players stayed for speeches in a clubhouse slightly farther from the main precinct. Due to a shortage of golf carts to ferry all players, some, including Maxwell, had to ride on the back. Although this ride covered a distance of approximately 300 meters to reach the team bus, Maxwell’s loss of grip resulted in a concussion.

McDonald emphasized that there was nothing improper about the behavior of the players, reiterating that it was an unfortunate, yet straightforward, accident. Maxwell has been seen walking around the team hotel, recovering well, despite a minor gash on his forehead.

“This incident took place during the journey from the clubhouse/pro shop back to the team bus. Glenn and a few other players rode on the back of the carts. Unfortunately, he lost his grip while returning to the team bus and sustained the injury. Over the past few days, he has been evaluated, and we anticipate that he will follow a relatively straightforward return-to-play protocol based on his current condition. It does not appear to be a severe injury. Fortunately, there were no other injuries, which could have been much worse. Although the situation is less than ideal, he is doing well, and there will be no long-term consequences,” stated the coach.

Maxwell is expected to commence “light” training later on Wednesday, and his openness in reporting his condition post-accident has been commended. The coach noted the importance of player honesty, emphasizing the commitment to following concussion return-to-play protocols to ensure player safety.

Maxwell recently recovered from a more severe leg injury he suffered last year, which prompted careful regulation of his training sessions throughout the World Cup to attain peak strength and mobility.

With Maxwell’s absence against England, Marnus Labuschagne is likely to retain his place in the team. Additionally, Travis Head is anticipated to play a more prominent role with his off-spin, working alongside Labuschagne to control the pace of the game.

This incident marks the second significant golf-related injury for Australia in the past 18 months, following Josh Inglis’s hand injury involving a golf club handle in October 2022. McDonald clarified that there was no consideration of canceling golf activities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to player well-being.