Australia have already taken an unassailable 4-0 lead in the ongoing ODI series against India, but there was some bad news for them on Wednesday. Glenn Maxwell, who got hit with the ball on the knee while trying one of his unconventional shots in the 4th ODI at Canberra, has sustained an injury and will probably not play in the last match.
The ball hit Maxwell on an unprotected area as he bent his right leg in an attempt to work a ball from Ishant Sharma on the leg side. Cricket Australia said the blow had caused some swelling and discomfort in Maxwell's knee and that he would be assessed in the coming days.
The incident happened when Maxwell was on 13, as he still managed to scamper through for a single in visible discomfort. He recovered enough to launch a blitz on the Indian bowlers though, costing Ishant Sharma 18 runs in his last over.
He finished on 41 from 20 balls, as Australia posted a challenging 348/8. He hit six fours and a six in his innings. He was given ice treatment for his injury during the match.
Maxwell was also called on to bowl in the early stages of India’s innings, but was not very effective, and was soon replaced on the field by substitute fielder Shaun Marsh.
Maxwell has been in fine form this tournament, and has turned in several crucial shifts with the bat for Australia. With Nathan Lyon called into the side for the final two ODIs, Maxwell’s spin is not an integral part of Australia’s bowling attack any more, and it is likely that a batsman will be called upon to replace Maxwell if he has to sit out.
The final game of the series is at the SCG on Saturday. Maxwell struck a match-winning 96 from 83 balls in Australia's three-wicket win at the MCG on Sunday night and his late cameo in Canberra pushed the home side to their total of 8-348.
The Australians lead the series 4-0.
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