Melbourne: Australia coach Justin Langer said yesterday that Glenn Maxwell's jovial persona was a mask that he wore while battling his mental health issues and things have not been well with the all-rounder for a year. Maxwell announced a "short" but indefinite break from the game through a Cricket Australia statement yesterday.

According to CA, Maxwell told the team's support staff that he was struggling with his mental health and the Board, along with his state side Victoria, are backing him in this period. "There's been a few times over the last 12 months where I've suspected that he was probably battling a bit," Langer was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.