Men’s ODI WC: Just don't get on the back of a golf cart, advises Paine over Maxwell’s freak concussion injury

Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine has one simple message for professional athletes after Glenn Maxwell’s freak concussion injury ruling out of the upcoming World Cup match against England: ‘Don’t get on the back of a golf cart’.

Maxwell was ruled out of playing for Australia in Saturday’s league stage clash against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium after falling off the back of a golf cart during a day off for the team earlier this week.

“It’s just frustrating when stuff like that happens in such a big tournament or a big series and it is avoidable, but it is an accident. I can see how important it for players is to have that time away from the game. But he could play 72 holes, he could play 150 holes, I couldn’t care less.”

“Just don't get on the back of a golf cart. I know we’ve all jumped on the back of a golf cart for 20 or 30 metres ... but it’s frustrating because it is avoidable and it leaves a massive hole in our team. Hopefully it’s only the one game (that he misses),” said Paine on SEN Radio.

Five-time winners Australia on a four-match winning streak in the tournament while defending champions England on a four-match losing streak, staring at an early exit from the competition. Paine believes both Maxwell and the Australian team would be shattered over the manner in which the off-spin all-rounder sustained concussion injury.

“It’s astonishing really. It’s very unlucky. I’m laughing because we’re talking about in the middle of a World Cup, a key player in a professional sporting team, having a concussion from falling off the back of a golf cart. You’ve got to see the funny side of it; it’s not ideal.”

“But it’s so ridiculous that it’s hilarious really. At the same time, it’s disappointing … I mean, Glenn Maxwell would be shattered. He didn’t mean to do this. It is a freak accident. From his point of view and the team’s point of view, they’d be shattered,” he concluded.