Australia Lose Maxwell For New Zealand T20s After Wrist Fracture

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand due to a fractured forearm sustained during net training when hit on the wrist by a ball from teammate Mitch Owen. Maxwell, 36, will return to Australia for specialist assessment, with a recovery timeline still uncertain, potentially affecting his availability for the subsequent T20 series against India and the start of the Big Bash League. Josh Philippe has been called up as Maxwell's replacement, although he is not a like-for-like substitute, mainly covering as a wicketkeeper-batter. Maxwell's injury adds to Australia's challenges ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, with other key players also unavailable due to injuries or personal reasons. Maxwell's history of injuries includes a broken leg in 2022 and a concussion at the 2023 World Cup, highlighting an ongoing run of misfortune. The injury complicates Australia's plans as they aim to finalize their best XI in upcoming matches crucial for World Cup preparations.