Maxi battling mental health problems, takes break

Melbourne, October 31

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is taking an indefinite break from cricket with immediate effect as he undergoes treatment for mental health issues, coach Justin Langer said. 

Maxwell, who played in Australia’s two T20I wins against Sri Lanka in recent days and starred in the Adelaide series-opener, will be replaced by batsman D’Arcy Short for the third and final match. Langer said he had spoken to Maxwell after sensing something was amiss with the hard-hitting 31-year-old before the Adelaide game, Australia’s first international of the home summer. “I’m not sure what prompted it just before Adelaide,” Langer said. “But you could tell it was not quite right and he probably wasn’t going to say anything. Even though in Adelaide he had that incredible innings and fielded like a genius like he can, I don’t think he got much joy out of it, to be honest,” he added.

A fan favourite and one of Australia’s most devastating batsmen in the T20 format, Maxwell was in fine touch at Adelaide Oval where he blasted 62 off 29 balls to hasten his team to a 134-run victory. He was also his usual energetic presence in the field, effecting a brilliant run-out and engaging in banter with broadcasters. “They often put on a mask,” Langer said of people suffering mental health problems. “In public positions they have to put on a mask all the time. That’s his armour, his energy and the way he plays.” Maxwell will be assessed in Melbourne over the next “day or so”, Langer said. — Reuters