Chris Lynn has spoken of how there were shivers down his spine after he heard the news that Glenn Maxwell was to take a break from cricket due to mental health reasons.

Lynn was captain of the Cricket Australia XI side that took on the Pakistanis in a 20-over match on Thursday – the visitors won by six wickets – and was made aware of Maxwell’s decision afterwards. He said the whole team would feel Maxwell’s absence, and that he was particularly proud of the all-rounder for speaking up about his troubles.

“It sends shivers down my spine when you hear something like this, Glenn’s a close mate of mine,” Lynn told reporters after the match. “When one man goes, the whole team feels it. But I think the whole of Australia feels it.

“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

“What he’s got to realise is that, as men, we don’t speak up enough about it. So I’m really proud that he’s really come out and assessed that cricket isn’t for him right now.”

Lynn said that Maxwell would have support – not just from the team and management – but from all of Australia. “He has to realise there are 25 million people from Australia behind him and that’s the main thing,” he said. “Whatever we can do, whether it’s more or less, we’ll be there. I wish him all the best. If he needs me, I’ll be there.”

Thinking of you @Gmaxi_32 get well soon mate, look forward to seeing you back on the field!

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) October 31, 2019

Maxwell’s decision to take a break from the game follows on from his appearances for Australia in their ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka. In the first T20I, Maxwell scored a 28-ball 62* and excelled in the field, effecting the run out of Wanindu Hasaranga.

“I feel for the bloke,” Lynn added. “[I] just hope he can bounce back because over the last week we’ve seen how good he is. Cricket will have a big dent with him sat on the sidelines, but I don’t want him to rush at all.”