Australia will make a decision on Glenn Maxwell’s availability for their World Cup match against Bangladesh after the all-rounder battled through cramps to secure a remarkable victory over Afghanistan, according to bowling coach Daniel Vettori. Maxwell suffered cramps in multiple areas of his body before experiencing back spasms during the match in Mumbai. Despite the injuries, he scored a double-century to help Australia advance to the semi-finals. Vettori stated that Maxwell has been in recovery mode and they will assess his condition before making a decision on his participation in the upcoming game.
Vettori acknowledged the physical toll that Maxwell’s innings took on him and emphasized the importance of monitoring his recovery. He mentioned that Maxwell has not been present for training due to the hectic nature of the past few days. Vettori also confirmed that there would be no fitness test for Maxwell ahead of the Bangladesh game, and his availability would depend on how he feels.
The focus for Maxwell and the team is on the semi-final match in Kolkata on November 16. Vettori mentioned that they understand the significance of that game and will approach the Bangladesh match with that in mind. He expressed confidence in Maxwell’s ability to bounce back quickly and suggested that the decision on his participation would likely be made after considering how he feels throughout the day.
While Bangladesh is out of contention for the semi-finals, their coach Chandika Hathurusinghe acknowledged the challenge of facing Australia. He praised Australia as the most successful team in World Cup history and highlighted their professional preparation and strong performance. Hathurusinghe recognized the difficulty of playing against such a formidable opponent.
Bangladesh will be without their captain Shakib Al Hasan, who sustained a finger injury in their previous match against Sri Lanka. Hathurusinghe mentioned that Shakib’s absence creates a challenge in terms of team composition and leadership. He stated that they will look to fill the bowling void with another spinner or fast bowler, but acknowledged that they will miss Shakib’s batting and leadership.
In conclusion, Australia will assess Glenn Maxwell’s condition before deciding on his participation in the match against Bangladesh. Maxwell’s remarkable innings against Afghanistan took a toll on his body, and the team is focused on his recovery for the upcoming semi-final match. Bangladesh recognizes the challenge of facing Australia, especially without their captain Shakib Al Hasan. They will look to fill the void left by Shakib’s absence and aim to secure a top-eight spot for qualification in the 2025 Champions Trophy.