Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson Return To Cricket After Taking Hiatus Over Mental Health Issues

Maxwell scored five runs and picked two wickets to play a vital his club Fitzroy Doncaster secure a win over Geelong. On the other hand, Maddinson played a knock of 58 for St Kilda to beat Casey-South Melbourne.

In what comes as delightful news for all Australian cricket fans, Glenn Maxwell and Nic Maddinson on Saturday made a comeback to the sport as they played for their club sides in Victorian premier cricket. Maxwell scored five runs and picked two wickets to play a vital his club Fitzroy Doncaster secure a win over Geelong. On the other hand, Maddinson played a knock of 58 for St Kilda to beat Casey-South Melbourne. Maxwell had decided to take a short break from cricket to deal with his mental health issues. Cricket Australia (CA) on 31 October announced Maxwell's decision to take a break from the game. Similarly, Maddinson withdrew himself from Australia A squad on the grounds of mental health on 9 November. Former Australia captain Ian Chappell had said the burgeoning issue of mental health, forcing active players into sabbaticals, has reached “almost epidemic proportions” in his country and urged the cricket board to immediately address the matter.

“It’s a helluva problem. It’s almost epidemic proportions,” Chappell told local radio station ‘3AW’. “It’s all well and good to be saying it’s very courageous of these guys to come out and speak and yes, it is brave, but Cricket Australia has got to get to the bottom of what’s causing this,” the 76-year-old Australian great said.

The issue has gained significance with many prominent voices like India captain Virat Kohli speaking about the mental struggles of a top-flight player.