Unlike other medical conditions, we often take mental illness very lightly. Mental health issues just like other health issues are very serious and should never be taken seriously. People suffer from conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, self-harm, anxiety, and many others.., but they never realize it until its too late.
There have been a few cricketers, who ended their careers because of mental illness. Here, we bring you a list of 5 cricketers who suffered from serious mental issues. Have a look:
1. Marcus Trescothick:
Marcus Trescothick, the England cricketer, suffered mental health issues when he was at the peak of his career. Marcus scored 76 Test matches and also holds the record for the most ODI centuries and fastest half-centuries in England’s T20 cricket.
It was during the tour of India in the year 2006 when he suddenly returned back home. Later he had announced his retirement in 2006. Later on, he returned back to Test cricket, he revealed that he was dealing with depression. Marcus announced his retirement at the age of 32 only. In an interview, he had revealed:
“The depression’s not over. I’m not ‘cured’. I have good days and bad days, but when the bad days come, I feel them coming and I know how to act.”
2. Jonathan Trott:
Jonathan Trott, the 34-year-old cricketer, who was a part of England’s Ashes squad in 2013, ended his international career abruptly. Trott ended his career due to “long-standing stress-related condition”. Last year, while playing county cricketer, he withdrew from all forms of international career because of an ‘anxiety disorder’. In an interview he had said:
“Just coming down to breakfast, I’d sit on my own away from the guys with my cap over my head because I didn’t know how I was going to react to having to go to the cricket ground again,” he told. “I was waking up looking at the clock hoping the clock had stopped, or that a pylon had fallen on the field and the game had been cancelled, or the stadium had collapsed – as long as there was no one in it, of course. You end up thinking of all sorts of ways you wouldn’t have to go to the ground.”
3. Sarah Taylor:
Sarah Taylor, the England wicketkeeper-batter, who is one of the most talented cricketers to have played the game. She is the second all-time run-getters of the game. Besides this, she has 232 dismissals in her name, which is the most in women’s cricket.
However, she also had to end her career because of mental health issues in their career. However, constant anxiety issues forced her to announce her retirement. She had revealed:
“This has been a tough decision but I know it’s the right one, for me and for my health moving forward,” Sarah Taylor said. ”I can’t thank my teammates enough, both past and present, and the ECB for being supporters and friends along my journey. I am extremely proud of my career. I leave with my head held high and with excitement for what my future holds and what my next chapter brings.”
4. Andrew Flintoff:
During the 2006-2007 Ashes whitewash in Australia, former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff revealed that he was suffering from depression. He even revealed that he had started drinking too much during the World Cup 2007. In an interview, he had revealed:
“I didn’t understand what was happening to me. I knew when I got back to my room I couldn’t shut off, which is why I started having a drink. It got to the stage where I was probably drinking more than I should.”
He added:
“All I wanted was for the doctor to tell me what was wrong but no one suggested it was depression. There’s a certain sense of shame when I remember sitting in the dressing room after winning a one-day international in the West Indies. The lads were celebrating and I didn’t want to be a part of it, I didn’t want to do anything but sit on my own in the corner,”
Later, in another interview, he also talked about his condition. He said:
“I’m on medication,” added Flintoff, who used to take anti-depressants. “If I was playing cricket and I had a bad leg, I’d take an anti-inflammatory. If I had a headache, I’d have an aspirin or a paracetamol.”
“My head’s no different. If there’s something wrong with me, I’m taking something to help that. And they’re not happy pills, I don’t take a pill and I’m seeing unicorns and rainbows – I just start feeling normal after a few weeks,”
5. David Bairstow:
Former England cricketer David Bairstow is one of those cricketers who also suffered from depression, which started with his wife Janet’s illness. However, as he was suffering from financial and injury-related issues which added to his drink-driving charge. His condition worsened and in 1997, he consumed an overdose of tablets. After which he survived but later he ended his life by hanging himself at his home.
