Glenn Maxwell chooses Mental Health over cricket.

Glenn Maxwell will take a break from cricket to deal with mental health issues, with D’Arcy Short to replace him in the national Twenty20 squad.

Maxwell is understood to have been dealing with personal matters for the past month. He met with Cricket Australia staff on Wednesday night and is expected to miss the rest of the T20 internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

“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,” national teams manager Ben Oliver said. “The well-being 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.”

The decision has come with the support of CA after Maxwell had taken the initiative on the matter.

“Glenn was proactive in identifying these issues and engaging with support staff … he will spend a short time away from the game,” team psychologist Dr Michael Lloyd said.

Justin Langer revealed that he had a suspicion that Maxwell was struggling with mental health issues from the past 12 months. But, he got a confirmation a day before the Adelaide T20I. He also recited that Aussie all-rounder was trying his best on the field in the T20I series and was filled with enthusiasm. However, it was a mask that he had to wear in the field to hide his emotions.

“There have been a few times over the past 12 months where I’ve suspected he’s probably battling a little bit but mainly in Adelaide, the day before the first game, he didn’t seem to have his normal zip and enthusiasm. He’s still trying hard, we saw how he fielded in and again yesterday, but they often put on a mask.”

“Being in public positions, you have to put on a mask. That’s his armor, his energy, the way he plays, he’s an entertainer. When you build relationships with people you sense it,” Langer told reporters at a press conference.

48-year-old also lauded Australian all-rounder for sharing his problem with his teammates and fans. He felt that it takes strong courage to open up on such things in public.

“He’s struggling a bit and it took great courage from him to tell us he wasn’t ok. A few little things weren’t quite right. I asked him how he was going and he said ‘I’m not going that well actually’. I’m pleased he feels he’s got that trust in the environment to be able to do that,” he added.

Cricket Australia also came out with a statement, which stated that Glenn Maxwell will get full support from the board and expects him to come back stronger.