Steve Waugh backs Glenn Maxwell's indefinite break from cricket

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh on Saturday applauded Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell for showing cour and seeking treatment for his mental health issue. Waugh, who had been a vocal advocate of “tough school” during his captaincy days in early 2000s, ackwledged that players should t have to suffer in silence. Recently, Cricket Australia anunced that Maxwell was ruled out of national side indefinitely while he gets treatment he needs. Maxwell had confided his problems to Cricket Australia's support staff ahead of a T20 match against Sri Lanka.

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Waugh backs Maxwell

According to Australian media reports, Waugh said that it was incredibly courous of Maxwell to have spoken up about his condition. Waugh ted that professional cricket is a high-pressure game, and players, just like ordinary people, have or issues in life. He said that sometimes pressures in life becomes too much to handle.

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Waugh, who led a fierce and uncompromising team in 1990s and early 2000s, was a champion of mental disintegration of opponents through sledging to throw m off ir game. He has openly admitted that during his time, mental health issue was a taboo and body talked about it. Waugh said that during his playing days, it was a tough school, and he felt a lot of players from m might have faced similar mental issues and y could t speak up.

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Waugh also claimed that advent of social media in modern times has added to mental health issues in sportspersons by putting additional pressure on people to compete with curated lifestyle of ir peers online.  He said that it is time to ackwledge that everyone has ir struggles and body’s life is perfect. It is time to get more realistic according to Australian batting legend.

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Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has come out in support of Maxwell, extending all support he needs for his recovery. head of national teams Ben Oliver stated that health of players – mental and physical – was of utmost importance. D’Arcy Short has replaced Maxwell in side for time being.