Australia batsman Glenn Maxwell has revealed how mental exhaustion drove him to an extreme, to the point where he hoped for a broken arm to be able to take a breather from cricket.

Maxwell’s mental health issues became public when he opted for a sudden break from cricket in October, and has not represented Australia since. In a recent podcast with Neroli Meadows, Ordineroli, Maxwell has given more insight into the time leading up to the breaking point.

Maxwell recalled an instance from Australia’s 2019 World Cup campaign, when both he and Shaun Marsh got injured at the nets, ahead of their final group game against South Africa. In a hostile session against Pat Cummins’ searing pace, Marsh was struck on the forearm, fracturing a bone that ruled him out of the tournament.

“I knew he [Marsh] was in trouble when he came in, and immediately I felt bad for him,” Maxwell said. “I just thought, I hope he’s OK, and if anything, I wish we could swap our news.”

“That’s the mask he puts on. That’s his armour, his energy and the way he plays. He’s the great entertainer, but underneath the mask, I could just sense it."

Justin Langer on Glenn Maxwell's mental health struggles ?https://t.co/CqzcrEH1S4

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 31, 2019

“We went to the hospital together and we were both sitting there, I think both hoping for opposite news. When I got hit, I was angry and a part of me was hoping [my arm] was broken.”

Maxwell endured a tough time in England, returning with 177 runs in 10 World Cup innings, not managing a single 50+ score. The exasperation of not getting runs made him desperate to escape.

“I had anger at other people and it didn’t make sense, but I was angry at myself for not being able to produce at all this World Cup.

“I thought it would’ve been an easy escape because I felt like I was going to get dropped at some stage and I thought maybe this is the way.”

Lancashire have re-signed Glenn Maxwell for the 2020 T20 Blast ?

The Aussie all-rounder will be available for at least their first eight matches. pic.twitter.com/jimoGXW40f

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 2, 2020

Maxwell hasn’t played an ODI since the semi-final against England, but played a couple of T20Is against Sri Lanka before taking a sabbatical. He scored a typically whirlwind 28-ball 62 in one of the games, but admits that he “did not enjoy any of it”.

“I batted so well, I got 60-odd off less than 30, and barely missed the middle…but didn’t really enjoy any of it,” he said.

“You’re taking down an international attack and just not enjoying any bit of it.”

With all of it in the past, Maxwell will look for a fresh beginning this year, when cricket resumes. He returned to play the latest edition of Big Bash, and also bagged a new stint with Lancashire for the T20 Blast.