Aussie cricket superstar suffers another freak injury that has cast doubt over his summer: 'It didn't sound good'

Another freak injury has forced Glenn Maxwell out of the Australian T20 tour of New Zealand and thrown a major spanner into his summer schedule.

The 36-year-old suffered a fractured arm when hit by teammate Mitch Owen while bowling to him in the nets.

Owen launched into a drive that hit Maxwell near the wrist.

Maxwell will return to Australia for medical advice and Cricket Australia said it is unclear when he will play again.

After the New Zealand series, the Australian T20 team will host India in a month's time for a five-game series.

The two series are important parts of Australia's build-up to the T20 World Cup next February in India and Sri Lanka. Australia last won the tournament in 2021.

Maxwell, who retired earlier this year from one-day internationals, also is a major drawcard in the Big Bash League.

The Australians were training at Mount Maunganui ahead of the three-game T20 tour, which starts on Wednesday, when the injury happened.

NSW wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe has been called up as a replacement for Victoria.

Matthew Short was batting next to Owen at Tauranga's Bay Oval when the accident happened.

'I saw (Owen) smoked it and then the aftermath - it hit Maxi on the wrist. It didn't sound good,' Short told Cricket Australia.

'(Owen) is not the guy you want to be bowling to in T20 training, that's for sure.

'Maxi's been there and gone through that (injuries) a couple of times now - he was a bit disappointed but it's just like any other injury. I'm sure he'll get through it.'

Three years ago, Maxwell suffered a broken leg when a friend fell on him at a 50th birthday party.

Then he sustained a concussed at the 2023 World Cup in another freak accident when he fell off a golf cart.

Australia had already lost Josh Inglis to a calf muscle injury for the New Zealand series and Alex Carey took his place.