Glenn Maxwell has credited his mental health break for allowing him to be at his best
Glenn Maxwell has been a pivotal part of the Melbourne Stars’ BBL09 campaign. And he says his mental freshness has led to his blistering on field form. Plus, he has been given free license to be himself.
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Glenn Maxwell has credited the mental health break he took before the Big Bash for freeing him of his “demons” and his stunning surge of form for the Melbourne Stars.
After a breathtaking six-hitting display at Marvel Stadium on Friday night, which earned a second straight man of the match award, Maxwell said he had entered the tournament with “no baggage” because of his stint away from the game.
Maxwell shocked the cricket world when he stepped away, in the middle of a T20 series for Australia, after two-years of non-stop cricket caught up with him.
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He thanked Cricket Australia and others for allowing him to take that break and said while he was still talking to people about managing his life was starting to see the real benefits of his time away.
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“Being mentally fresh before the tournament, I had no baggage coming in and I think back to the break I had and I’m so thankful that I was able to have the break and get myself right,” Maxwell said.
“I am starting to see the benefits now, I have no demons, I get everything off my chest and can deal with things better.
“I am still talking to people about managing different parts of my life and making sure I have that balance and it’s nice to be a bit more relaxed when I am batting, I don’t have any of these other thoughts.
“It’s been nice and calm out there.”
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Stars coach David Hussey revealed Maxwell asked permission to “be himself” when they talked about being captain again for this season.
Maxwell conceded he was loving being able to “do what I do” without any ramifications.
“And I communicate that with people. I feel really confident I can have those discussions,” he said.
“I may not train like everyone else, I go in the nets and try and hit the first five balls for six because that’s the way I warm up.
“Not everyone likes that, but I have confidence in my technique. Each player is different, so why wouldn’t they train different.
“It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m OK with that now.”
Maxwell said he was “cooked” during his whirlwind 83 off 45 balls on Friday night, but was “good to go” for Sunday’s top of the table clash with the Sydney Sixers.
Originally published as Glenn Maxwell has credited his mental health break for allowing him to be at his best
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