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Maxwell returns to state training with Victoria

The talented allrounder was seen joining in with teammates in full training at the MCG on Thursday

Glenn Maxwell has taken another positive step in his comeback from a mental health break, the allrounder training with the Victorian Sheffield Shield squad.

Maxwell stepped away from cricket citing mental health issues during Australia's Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka in October.

He has played three Victorian Premier Cricket matches with club side Fitzroy Doncaster since and has taken part in some aspects of Victoria's Shield program.

But Thursday morning's hit-out at the MCG was the first time Maxwell has completed a full session with his teammates since he stepped away from the game.

"I think he is doing everything he needs to do ... when he is ready to come back (he will)," teammate Marcus Harris told reporters.

"I'm not sure if it is this week or Big Bash, but he's not far away I think."

Victorian batsmen Will Pucovski and Nic Maddinson have also recently taken breaks to deal with mental health issues.

Both returned for this week's drawn game against New South Wales at the MCG where Pucovski made a gritty 82 and Maddinson an impressive 59.

Plucky Pucovski returns with impressive 82

The Vics take on Western Australia at the MCG starting Saturday in the last Shield round before the BBL break, where Maxwell will captain the Melbourne Stars.

Harris said it will be left to Maxwell to decide when he feels it's the right time to return to the game on a full-time basis.

"I think those sort of guys need some space," he said.

"I think they've got everyone hounding them about what's going on and what they're doing.

"They are adults. Maxi has been really good and all the guys dealing with stuff have been very good and we just put our arm around them and support them.

Later on Thursday, Victoria released their 12-player Shield squad that will take on Western Australia at the MCG.

Maxwell will sit out the four-day encounter, while experienced duo Jon Holland (finger) and Scott Boland (side) are also sidelined.

Victoria squad to play Western Australia: Peter Handscomb (C), Travis Dean, Andrew Fekete, Aaron Finch, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Nic Maddinson, Will Pucovski, Matthew Short, Peter Siddle, Will Sutherland, Chris Tremain

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