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Glenn Maxwell has decided to take an indefinite break from playing cricket as he seeks to deal with some mental health difficulties.
“Glenn Maxwell has been experiencing some difficulties with regards to his mental health. As a result, he will spend a short time away from the game,” Australia’s team psychologist, Dr Michael Lloyd, said in a statement this afternoon.
“Glenn was proactive in identifying these issues and engaging with support staff.”
Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia’s GM of national teams, said he hoped Maxwell will be back during the summer, but didn’t put a timeline on his return to the game.
“The wellbeing of our players and staff is paramount. Glenn has our full support.
“Cricket Australia will work collaboratively with Cricket Victoria’s support staff to ensure Glenn’s well-being and his reintegration into the game.
“We ask that everyone gives Glenn and his family and friends space; and respects their privacy at this time.
“He’s a special player and an important part of the Australian cricket family. We hope to see him back in the team during the summer.
“It’s important we look after Glenn and all our players.”
In a press conference today, Australian coach Justin Langer said he had suspicions that something was troubling Maxwell despite his smiles and expert fielding.
“We saw how he fielded again yesterday, but he had to put on a mask,” Langer said.
“You know how you can just sense with people when they’re not quite right, and I just asked him the day before the Adelaide game, and that’s when he said, ‘Nah, I probably need to have a little bit of a chat’.”
The exciting batsman is coming off an impressive 62 runs from 28 balls in Australia’s first T20 match against Sri Lanka but will not take part in Friday night’s match – the third of the series.
D’Arcy Short has been brought into the squad in Maxwell’s place.
Maxwell has been candid about his battles with mental health in the past. In 2014, the big-hitting all-rounder endured immense backlash for a bizarre dismissal in a Big Bash match against the Brisbane Heat, which he revealed forced him to “hate the game” of cricket.
The Roar encourages all readers who may be suffering from mental health difficulties to seek support from organisations such as Beyond Blue or Headspace.
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