Injury blow set to rule Glenn Maxwell out of BBL opener, setback for Test recall hopes

Cricket Victoria has revealed star batsman Glenn Maxwell has suffered a grade two tear in his left hamstring, putting his upcoming BBL season in doubt.

He was seen grabbing at his hamstring and hobbling off Bellerive Oval during his side's third T20 international against Pakistan on Monday night.

During Australia's fielding innings, Maxwell was helped off the ground after he felt the back of his leg after chasing for the ball.

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At the time, Cricket Australia labelled it a low-grade strain.

Now, it's been revealed that the 36-year-old is expected to miss at least four weeks, which threatens the start of the BBL season with the Stars.

It's a further blow to Maxwell's hopes of making a Test return for Australia's two-Test series against Sri Lanka in February.

Additionally, Maxwell will now likely miss a Sheffield Shield game that he planned to use as preparation for the BBL season.

He was also planning on playing for a Prime Minister XI team against India in Canberra in less than 10 days.

At the time of the injury, it was clear that Maxwell was distressed.

"He's grabbing a left hamstring, Maxwell. He wasn't sprinting; he was just jogging past the ball," Mark Howard said on Fox Cricket.

"That doesn't look good at all."

Maxwell looked to have accelerated too quickly with the movement leaving him ginger.

He was seen with his tracksuit on at the back of Australia's bench during the 16th over of Pakistan's innings.

Maxwell looked uncomfortable and upset when he returned from the rooms.

"Glenn Maxwell looks pretty sore there, he's got the tracksuit on. You wouldn't expect him to be batting," Howard said.

The Big Bash League season will begin on December 15, with Maxwell's Stars set to face the Perth Scorchers.