Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has pulled out of the nation's Twenty20 international squad and will take a mental health break from the game, Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed.

Key points: Cricket Australia said it hoped to see Maxwell playing again by the end of the summer

Cricket Australia said it hoped to see Maxwell playing again by the end of the summer Maxwell will be replaced in Australia's squad for upcoming T20 internationals by Darcy Short

Maxwell will be replaced in Australia's squad for upcoming T20 internationals by Darcy Short Maxwell belted a rapid half-century in the first T20 against Sri Lanka and is a likely selection for Australia's World Cup squad next year

"Glenn Maxwell has been experiencing some difficulties with regards to his mental health. As a result, he will spend a short time away from the game," team psychologist Dr Michael Lloyd said in a statement on Thursday.

"Glenn was proactive in identifying these issues and engaging with support staff."

Maxwell, who played in the first two games of Australia's T20 international series against Sri Lanka — including Wednesday night's win at the Gabba — will be replaced in the squad by Darcy Short.

"The wellbeing of our players and staff is paramount. Glenn has our full support," CA's general manager of national teams, Ben Oliver, said.

"Cricket Australia will work collaboratively with Cricket Victoria's support staff to ensure Glenn's well-being and his re-integration into the game.

"We ask that everyone gives Glenn and his family and friends space; and respects their privacy at this time.

"He's a special player and an important part of the Australian cricket family. We hope to see him back in the team during the summer."

The veteran of 110 ODIs and 61 international T20s belted 62 off 28 balls and chipped in with a superb run-out in the first T20 against Sri Lanka in Adelaide on the weekend.

"Even though in Adelaide he had that incredible innings and fielded like a genius like he can, I don't think he got much joy out of it, to be honest," coach Justin Langer said.

"He's not having that much fun at the moment, even though he has that smile on his face when he plays."

Langer said he thought something was "not quite right" inside Maxwell's head, ahead of the Adelaide match, despite the hard-hitting 31-year-old playing with plenty of swagger.

"That's the mask he puts on, it's his armour, his energy and the way he plays," Langer said.

"He's the great entertainer, but underneath the mask, you probably just sense it.

"When you build relationships with people you sense when they're not quite right.

"I asked him the day before the Adelaide game, and that's when he said 'we probably need that little chat'.

"There's been a few times over the past 12 months where I've suspected he's battling a little bit."

Maxwell, who has played 110 one-day internationals and 61 T20Is, will be assessed in Melbourne over the next "day or so", Langer said.

While he has been dominant in T20 internationals, Maxwell has struggled to break into the Test side after several false starts and last wore the baggy green in 2017 in away series' against India and Bangladesh.

He also took no part in the recent Ashes series in England, where Australia retained the urn in England for the first time since 2001.

Maxwell's chances of a Test return there were not helped by a string of poor performances at the Cricket World Cup, where he averaged just 22.12 with the bat in 10 innings and failed to make a half-century.

Several Australian cricketers have battled mental health problems in recent years.

Much-hyped talent Will Pucovski took a break from domestic cricket a year ago and also withdrew from the Test squad in January to undergo treatment.

Three-Test batsman Nic Maddinson also took time off in 2017 after being dropped from the Test side before returning to the game after treatment.