Glenn Maxwell breaks leg in "freak accident" and faces missing entire Australian summer

The Australia allrounder fractured his fibula and has undergone surgery after slipping while running during a birthday party in Melbourne

Glenn Maxwell faces missing the entire Australian cricketing summer after suffering a broken leg in what is being described as "a freak accident".

The 34-year-old fractured his fibula at a birthday party in Melbourne after slipping while running with the individual celebrating the occasion in the backyard. Neither are believed to have been intoxicated.

Maxwell has undergone surgery and is looking at at least three months on the sidelines. In the immediate future, the allrounder has been ruled out of the England ODIs - Sean Abbott has been called up - but his absence is likely to be lengthy.

"Glenn is in good spirits. It was an unfortunate accident and we feel for Glenn in the circumstances given he was in great touch in his last few games," Australia's selection chief George Bailey said.

^{(Mike Owen/Getty Images)}

"Glenn is a critical part of our white ball structure and we will continue to support him through his recovery and rehabilitation."

The Melbourne Stars captain could miss the entire Big Bash League season while hopes of reigniting his red-ball career are up in flames, too. Australia are due in India for a Test tour in February 2023 but hopes of staking a claim for a place in the Sheffield Shield, not least the series itself, seem unlikely.

Stars general manager Blair Crouch added: "Glenn is obviously a huge part of the Melbourne Stars and we wish him well in his recovery. He will continue to be a key part of the club during the start of the season as he works his way back to full fitness and we look forward to seeing him soon."

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