WATCH | Maxwell Smashes 39-ball 83 In BBL To Mark Competitive Cricket Return

The Australia all-rounder's belligerent knock helped the Stars clinch a 22 run win over the Heats and start their BBL campaign on a winning note.

Glenn Maxwell smashed a whirlwind 39-ball 83 for the Melbourne Stars against the Brisbane Heats in the Big Bash League, marking his return to competitive cricket in style following a mental-health break. The Australia all-rounder's belligerent knock helped the Stars clinch a 22 run win over the Heats and start their Big Bash League campaign on a winning note. Maxwell's quickfire half-century helped propel the Stars to an imposing 167-7 total in their 20 overs. In response, the Heat could manage only 145-8.

83 from 39 balls from @Gmaxi_32 at Metricon Stadium, including seven 4️⃣s and five 6️⃣s 🔥@dream11 | #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/6Hhha21YsP

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2019

Maxwell's knock came a day after IPL franchisee Kings XI Punjab picked him up in the players auction for a whopping Rs 10.75 crore. Maxwell, who was previously part of Delhi Capitals (as well as Daredevils) and Kings XI Punjab, was signed by Punjab again, for a whopping 10.75 crore at the IPL 2020 auction in Kolkata on Thursday. The break from cricket seems to have worked in favour of the all-rounder, who had admitted to "mentally and physically ruined" at the time when he made the call to take some time off. “I was pretty cooked when I decided to take the time off. I was pretty mentally and physically ruined from eight months on the road and living out of a suitcase. That had probably been going on for four or five years. It all caught up with me at that time," he had said. "You go through a lot of waves of emotions and especially that first week was probably the hardest. As I took the time away get myself right and speak to the right people and have that amazing support network behind me was pretty key to me being back to good health now."