BBL 2019-20 | Glenn Maxwell to lead Melbourne Stars post mental health break

In what's a major boost for the finalists of the 2018/19 Big Bash League (BBL) season Melbourne Stars, Glenn Maxwell is all set to lead the side in the upcoming edition of the Aussie T20 extravaganza on his return to the game from a mental health break. The all-rounder, who last played a professional game of cricket on October 30 before taking a mental health break, has joined the Stars' pre-season camp ahead of the ninth edition of the tournament. 

"We're pleased to see Glenn in green and ready to lead our side with a big season ahead. He's an incredible talent and a key part of our club but health and well-being comes first and it's important that he's been able to take some time away to focus on that," David Hussey, head coach of the Stars, was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

"We're pretty excited with how our list looks and what we're going to bring to the table. We were obviously very close last season and want to go that one step further. We've got a great bunch of guys and I can't wait to see what this group can produce this summer," the former Stars skipper added.

Having scored 231 runs at an average of 115.50 and a strike rate of 183.33, Maxwell has been in terrific form in T20I cricket in 2019 and also led the Stars to the final in the 2018/19 edition of the tournament before his side lost to fierce rivals Melbourne Renegades. The Stars' first assignment of the season will be against Brisbane Heat at the Carrara Oval in Queensland on December 20.