Massive blow for Australia ahead of England match

In-form Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been ruled out of their ICC World Cup match against England after a freak concussion incident falling off the back of a golf cart in Ahmedabad on Monday.

He suffered a concussion and some bruises on the face and is expected to be under Cricket Australia's concussion protocols for six to eight days.

"In transporting back from the clubhouse to the team bus, where Glenn Maxwell came off the back of a cart, and has suffered a small concussion. So, he will go into concussion protocols for the next period of time, and will unfortunately miss the England game," said Australia head coach Andrew McDonald. 

The Australians had been relaxing by playing golf in the city during a week-long break between games. No one else was hurt in the incident, cricket.com.au reported.

The untoward development will have Australia make a forced change and replace one of their key middle-order players for the game against England with either Marcus Stoinis or Cameron Green likely to come in and Marnus Labuschagne keeping his place in the Playing XI.

A replacement will not be needed, said the head coach.

"There'll be no replacement as such. So he'll go into like, it's six to eight days concussion protocol. So, as I said, that takes into account the England game who will be unavailable for that game.

"And then clearly within the squad, we've got some players who become available in Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green is available as well. So, we haven't made that decision as yet," said McDonald.

Last year Maxwell suffered a badly broken leg when he slipped at a friend's 50th birthday part and it ruled him for nearly five months.

In another golf-related freak injury, England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow had slipped while playing golf last year, ruling him out of T20 World Cup which his team eventually won. 

• World Cup 2023