Glenn Maxwell's summer plans and his hopes for a Test recall in the new year are all but over, with the veteran allrounder breaking his leg in a freak injury suffered at a 50th birthday celebration.
The 34-year-old fractured his left fibula during a backyard party in Melbourne on Saturday and underwent surgery on Sunday.
He will be sidelined for an extended period, between eight and 12 weeks, and will likely be ruled out of the four-Test series in India in February and March.
It's understood Maxwell slipped while running in the backyard at the party and his leg became trapped under another party guest.
Neither person was intoxicated and the accident took place early in the evening, sources said.
Australia chairman of selectors George Bailey said Maxwell was in "good spirits" considering what the injury could mean for his career.
Maxwell's absence will be a major blow for the Melbourne Stars in their bid to finally win a Big Bash League title this summer.
"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," Bailey said in a statement.
"Glenn is a critical part of our white ball structure and we will continue to support him through his recovery and rehabilitation."
Maxwell has been replaced in Australia's squad for the coming ODI series against England, starting in Adelaide on Thursday, by NSW allrounder Sean Abbott.
One of Australia's finest white-ball cricketers, Maxwell last played a Test back 2017 in Bangladesh but was a strong chance to be included in the squad to tour India for his experience with batting and bowling offspin in Asia.
On Australia's last tour of India in 2017, Maxwell scored a brilliant 104 in Ranchi and has played all seven of his Test matches in Asia.
Maxwell's injury is the latest in a string of bizarre injuries to cricketers.
Star England batter Jonny Bairstow was ruled out of the entire Twenty20 World Cup after breaking his leg playing golf in October.
Just days before the tournament was due to begin, fringe Australia batter Josh Inglis suffered a serious hand injury playing golf and was replaced by powerful allrounder Cameron Green.
