Veteran ABC Grandstand commentator still hoping rehab from August stroke will allow him to return to the airwaves this summer
ABC's Maxwell on the mend after stroke
Cricket radio commentary doyen Jim Maxwell is hoping his recovery from a stroke proceeds well enough to allow him to return to the ABC airwaves and call the coming summer of cricket.
Maxwell was on air calling the Rio Olympics from a Sydney studio when he suffered the stroke in August. The 66-year-old was rushed to hospital and while initially suffering paralysis down his right side, he has made great progress in his recovery.
"I'm travelling well, put it that way," Maxwell told News Ltd.
"If my leg and arm were as good as my voice I'd be running out of the place now.
"Luckily I haven't lost my voice but I'm just a bit immobile.
"I would say thanks to the staff at Sacred Heart. I've recovered amazingly. If you're going to go to rehab, this is the place to be going. They're brilliant, absolutely brilliant."
Maxwell has started to regain mobility on his right side and can walk with assistance. He will continue to focus on his rehabilitation this summer.
Responding to a twitter question if he would return to the airwaves this summer, Maxwell replied: "Hope so. Still in rehab so it's a game of patience and recovery."
The ABC Grandstand veteran has been the voice of cricket for radio listeners for some 285 Test matches since 1973, including six tours of the West Indies, seven to the subcontinent, more than 50 Ashes Tests and five World Cups.
Maxwell is also keen to help raise awareness of the dangers of strokes and recognising symptoms and his speaking out coincides with this week's National Stroke Week campaign.
A reminder that it is Stroke awareness week. Go to https://t.co/m22xkcVkve or https://t.co/8c8IYhyyER. Stop https://t.co/QvBIsQQh3I lives.
— jim maxwell (@jimmaxcricket) September 13, 2016
And I should also sing the praises of everyone on level eight at RPA who made sure that my recovery was initiated. Marvelous.
— jim maxwell (@jimmaxcricket) September 13, 2016
Maxwell's absence from the airwaves marks the latest change in an evolving broadcast landscape for cricket. Iconic television commentator Richie Benaud passed away in April 2015 and Tony Greig died in late 2012.
Former skipper Michael Clarke will join Nine's Wide World of Sport commentary team for the 2016-17 summer which includes Test series against South Africa and Pakistan, one-day matches against New Zealand and Pakistan and T20 internationals against Sri Lanka.