Advertisement

'I was cooked': Glenn Maxwell lifts lid on mental health battle

Star allrounder Glenn Maxwell feels like he's back at home after returning to cricket following a mental health break.

Cricket's great entertainer dropped a bombshell in October when he stepped away from the game, citing mental health issues during Australia's Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.

SENSATIONAL: Aussie notches brilliant 72-year first against New Zealand

'WHAT A GRUB': Fans fume over Kiwi 'dog' act

After a gruelling schedule over the past 12 months, Maxwell realised he needed a circuit-breaker and took time out to relax at home and seek counselling.

He slowly ramped up his involvement with the Victorian Sheffield Shield training program and returned to club side Fitzroy Doncaster where he rekindled his love of the game.

"Once I got back into club cricket, the cycle started to feel more normal again," Maxwell told reporters on Friday.

Glenn Maxwell, pictured playing for Australia, has opened up about his mental health break.
Glenn Maxwell will return to cricket in the BBL this summer, after taking a break for mental health reasons. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

"I feel like I'm back at home ... I feel really good; I've had a great couple of weeks playing club cricket getting my love for the game back and really enjoying it.

"I can't wait for the Big Bash."

The 31-year-old has joined his Melbourne Stars' teammates for a pre-season camp ahead of their season-opening clash with Brisbane next Friday night at Metricon Stadium.

Hectic schedule contributed to Maxwell’s struggle

Last season's BBL final loss to the Renegades was the start of a demanding overseas playing schedule which Maxwell put in place to try to earn a spot in Australia's Ashes squad.

He admits he put too much pressure on himself.

"I was pretty cooked when I decided to take the time off and a big reason why I did take that time away was because I was pretty physically and mentally ruined from eight months on the road," he said.

"I think I've been pretty hard on myself, I've been my own worst critic for a long period of time and that can wear you down.

"I did put a bit of pressure on myself to try and play as much as I could this year.

"Rightly or wrongly, I probably just didn't come out of it the way that I thought I was going to."