The Melbourne Stars’ ambitions to recover from a rough start in the BBL have taken a hit with the unfortunate sidelining of Glenn Maxwell from their imminent clash against the Perth Scorchers due to injury. Maxwell sustained a forearm injury during his batting spell against the Brisbane Heat on the tournament’s opening night, where he contributed 23 runs off 14 balls in a match that saw the Stars endure a staggering 103-run defeat.
The injury prompted medical attention on two occasions during his innings, with his forearm being taped. Following his dismissal at the Gabba, Maxwell was observed icing the affected area while seated in the dugout. His absence not only places added responsibility on Marcus Stoinis to lead the batting order but also deprives the Stars of a crucial spin-bowling option.
The upcoming match against the Scorchers at the MCG on Wednesday will heavily rely on Stoinis to anchor the batting lineup in Maxwell’s absence. However, the Stars are optimistic that the 10-day break following this encounter, leading up to their next game against the Sydney Thunder in Albury on December 23, will provide Maxwell with sufficient time to recuperate, ideally allowing him to miss only this one game.
Teammate Hilton Cartwright lightheartedly remarked, “Biggest forearms in the world and he’s pulled a muscle,” prior to Maxwell’s official ruling out from the upcoming fixture. Despite the setback, Cartwright emphasized Maxwell’s positive attitude, indicating his determination and the team’s resolve not to dwell on the recent defeat.
In addition to Maxwell’s absence, the Stars are likely to face another setback with Nathan Coulter-Nile potentially unavailable due to a calf strain suffered during the Heat match. Coulter-Nile had to bat at No. 11 with the assistance of a runner.
The club issued a statement confirming Coulter-Nile’s injury, stating, “Nathan Coulter-Nile will undergo scans this weekend to determine damage to a calf injury suffered whilst bowling against the Brisbane Heat.”
Optimism remains within the Stars camp as they anticipate the inclusion of Pakistan’s pace sensation Haris Rauf, who was not part of the Heat encounter due to non-selection following his recent arrival in the country. Alongside Rauf, the Stars are banking on the services of their overseas players, including England’s fast bowler Olly Stone, along with Liam Dawson and Usama Mir.
The Stars are hoping for a swift recovery for Maxwell and Coulter-Nile as they navigate through a challenging phase in the tournament, aiming to regain momentum and display a stronger performance in the upcoming matches.
