Maxwell, 35, only scored 32 runs in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first six games and asked the management to be left out of Monday’s 25-run defeat by Sunrisers Hyderabad. He also took a break to protect to his mental health in 2019. “For me, personally, it was a pretty easy decision,” said Maxwell. “I went to [captain] Faf du Plessis and the coaches after the last game and said I felt it was probably time we tried someone else.
He scored the fastest century in 50-over World Cup history against the Netherlands and then made a maiden double century against Afghanistan as Australia went on to win their sixth title. “I don’t think I’ve had a better six months in cricket leading into this tournament so it’s frustrating when it ends up like this,” said Maxwell.
“I have been in this situation in the past where you can keep playing and get yourself deeper into a hole.” Maxwell, who has taken four wickets this season, came into the tournament in good form with the bat, averaging 42.26 in 17 T20s since November at a strike-rate of 185.85.
“T20 cricket can be like that sometimes it’s a pretty fickle game. “I felt like I wasn’t contributing in a positive way with the bat, and with the results and the position we find ourselves on the table, it’s a good time to give someone else an opportunity. “If I can get my body and my mind right, there’s no reason I can’t finish the tournament well if I do get another opportunity.”
Maxwell’s decision to temporarily step away is the latest in the sport as players attempt to juggle the amount of cricket available to play as a result of the increase in global franchise leagues with the greater mental and physical demands it places on them.
