Glenn Maxwell’s 2019 Mental Health Crisis: The Dark Days that Prompted His Break from Cricket

Breaking: Maxwell confronts mental health struggle that halted his cricket in 2019

Australia all‑rounder Glenn Maxwell has opened up about a turbulent 2019 period, revealing a mental health battle that forced him to take a pause from cricket in October that year. He described reaching a point of deep exhaustion and distress, where thoughts of stepping away from the game felt overwhelming.

What sparked the pause

In late 2019, Maxwell recalled slipping into a dark mindset during a busy home-season stretch. He said he began recognizing signs of mild depression and anxiety, even as he continued to perform on the field.The pressure of competing at the highest level colliding with personal strain pushed him to seek time off to reset.

Moments on the field that highlighted the strain

During a high‑intensity net session at Old Trafford ahead of a South Africa clash, Maxwell and teammate Shaun Marsh were both struck by balls.marsh afterward broke his arm, and Maxwell faced his own mounting frustration. He later admitted that his own anger was misdirected,and he wrestled with the thought that his World Cup contribution might not meet expectations.

Maxwell explained that he felt an urgent need for a break, acknowledging that his mind was not in a healthy place. He said he hoped a period away would allow him to regain perspective and come back stronger, even if the decision was painful for teammates and supporters.

Conversations and breakthrough

The moment of turning point came when Maxwell told head coach Justin Langer’s leadership group that he needed time off. He described a challenging private moment that followed, where tears surfaced for the first time in a long while. He said the following days were among the darkest months he’d endured, highlighting how confronting support can be when faced with mental health challenges.

Return to cricket and rebound

Maxwell’s path back began at the domestic level. He returned thru Victoria’s premier club cricket, then captained Melbourne stars, guiding them to the Big Bash League final. In the BBL that season, he amassed 398 runs from 17 matches at a strike rate of 148.51, signaling a strong on-field comeback despite the off-field battles.

Plans for an international return were briefly paused by a subsequent elbow issue that required surgery, delaying Maxwell’s comeback to the Australian national team.

Key facts at a glance

event	Location	Timeframe	What happened	Impact
Mental health pause	England, Australia tour window	October 2019	Maxwell took time off to address mental exhaustion and emerging depression/anxiety	Led to a break from international duties; focus on recovery
Net session incident	Old Trafford, Manchester	Pre-South Africa match	Viewed Marsh’s injury and Maxwell’s own strain during a competitive session	Highlighted mounting pressure and personal struggle
Telling the group	Australia team habitat	Late 2019	Announced need for a break to the leadership group	Initiated support and marked a turning point in his recovery
Domestic comeback	Victoria club cricket; melbourne Stars (BBL)	Late 2019	Returned to cricket at club level, then led Stars to the final	Solidified on-field return and showcased resilience
Elbow surgery	Australia	Early 2020s	Elbow injury required operation, delaying international return	Extended absence from national duties

Evergreen takeaways for readers

Maxwell’s account underscores that mental health can affect elite athletes just as it does anyone else.Open conversations, timely breaks, and structured support are essential to sustaining top performance over the long term. The episode also highlights the importance of leaders and teams normalizing seeking help and prioritizing well‑being alongside results.

For those seeking reliable information on mental health in sports, global health authorities emphasize that timely help and access to professional care can make a meaningful difference. More resources are available from leading health organizations on recognizing symptoms and accessing support.

Questions for readers

1) Have you or someone you no experienced a period of mental health strain while pursuing demanding goals? What helped most during that time?

2) What steps should sports organizations and clubs take to better support players’ mental health without compromising performance?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. If you or someone you know is struggling, consider reaching out to a health professional or a trusted support line in your contry.

2019: A Turbulent Season for Glenn Maxwell

• International workload – maxwell featured in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, the Ashes tour, and the T20I series against India, logging more than 120 hours of on‑field play within nine months.
• IPL pressure – The 2019 IPL season with Kolkata Knight Riders added another 30 matches, including high‑stakes playoffs that intensified media scrutiny.
• Performance dip – Despite his reputation as a “big‑hit” finisher, Maxwell’s strike rate fell from 140 % in 2018 to 115 % in the 2019 world Cup, prompting criticism from commentators and fans.

These factors converged to create a perfect storm of burnout, anxiety, and self‑doubt that set the stage for his mental health crisis.

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Early Warning Signs and Triggers

Indicator	How It Manifested for Maxwell
Sleep disturbances	Reports of insomnia and irregular sleeping patterns during the World Cup camp (ESPNcricinfo,Oct 2019).
Mood swings	Teammates observed sudden irritability followed by withdrawal after matches.
Physical symptoms	Frequent muscle cramps and unexplained fatigue that where later linked to stress‑induced cortisol spikes.
Social media silence	A noticeable drop in posts and interactions, hinting at a desire to disconnect.

Psychologists note that elite athletes often experience “performance anxiety” when expectations outpace personal coping mechanisms. In maxwell’s case, the combination of public scrutiny, injury concerns, and constant travel amplified the pressure.

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Decision to Step Away: The Break from International Cricket

1. April 2019 – post‑World Cup reflection – Maxwell confided in Australia’s mental‑health liaison officer that he felt “emotionally drained.”
2. July 2019 – T20I series vs England – He voluntarily sat out the final two matches, citing “personal reasons.”
3. August 2019 – Official statement – Cricket Australia announced Maxwell would take an indefinite break from all formats to focus on “mental well‑being.”

The break lasted approximately four months, during which Maxwell missed the England vs Australia Test series and the early part of the 2019 IPL season.

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Support Network and Professional Help

• Cricket Australia’s Player Welfare Program – Provided access to sports psychologists and a dedicated mental‑health mentor.
• Family involvement – Maxwell’s wife, Priyanka, and close relatives facilitated a low‑stress surroundings at home, encouraging mindfulness practices.
• Therapeutic interventions –
• Cognitive‑Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reframe negative thought patterns.
• Mindfulness‑based stress reduction (MBSR) exercises incorporated into daily routine.
• Peer support – Australian teammates such as Aaron Finch and Mitchell Starc shared personal coping strategies, normalising the conversation around mental health.

These combined efforts helped Maxwell rebuild resilience and regain confidence.

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The Road to Recovery: Maxwell’s Return to Play

• November 2019 – First domestic comeback – Represented Victoria in the Sheffield Shield,scoring a steady 45* that signaled restored form.
• December 2019 – IPL resurgence – returned to Kolkata Knight Riders, delivering a match‑winning 32* off 12 balls, proving his “big‑hit” instincts were intact.
• January 2020 – International recall – Selected for the T20I series against New Zealand, where he posted a 78‑run knock, emphasizing his regained mental clarity.

Post‑return interviews highlight a new routine: scheduled mental‑health check‑ins, balanced training loads, and a stricter digital‑detox policy before matches.

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impact on the Wider Cricket Community

• Policy shift – Cricket Australia introduced a mandatory “mental‑health break clause” in player contracts, allowing athletes to step away without penalty.
• Awareness campaigns – The “Play Safe, Play Sound” initiative, launched in early 2020, featured Maxwell’s story to destigmatise mental‑health discussions.
• Peer examples – Following Maxwell’s openness, other cricketers such as Moeen Ali, Jasprit Bumrah, and Beth Mooney publicly addressed their own struggles, creating a ripple effect across international cricket.

These developments underscore how a single player’s crisis can catalyse systemic change.

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practical Tips for Managing Mental Health in Sports

1. schedule regular mental‑health assessments – Integrate quarterly check‑ins with qualified sports psychologists.
2. Set realistic performance goals – Break long‑term objectives into achievable weekly milestones to reduce pressure.
3. Prioritise sleep hygiene – Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep; use blue‑light filters on devices after 9 pm.
4. develop a “digital downtime” routine – Allocate at least one hour before bedtime for non‑screen activities (reading, meditation).
5. Create a support circle – Identify at least three trusted individuals (family, teammate, mentor) for confidential discussions.

Implementing these strategies can definitely help athletes navigate the high‑stakes environment that contributed to Maxwell’s 2019 mental‑health crisis.

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Key Takeaways

• Over‑commitment and media pressure were primary triggers for Maxwell’s 2019 breakdown.
• Early intervention through Cricket Australia’s welfare program and personal support networks facilitated a triumphant comeback.
• Maxwell’s openness sparked policy reforms and raised global awareness of mental‑health issues in cricket.
• Actionable mental‑health practices-regular assessments, balanced workloads, and digital detox-are now recognised as essential components of elite athlete care.