Mental health issues are often considered taboo in most parts of the world. People who suffer from various psychological ailments and depression often shy away from expressing it in the public for fear of being judged.
Several cricketers across the globe have come out by speaking openly about their struggle with mental breakdown. There have been also many instances when many cricketers were forced to leave their favourite game due to mental health issues. Let’s have a look at some of those cricketers…
Meg Lanning
In a stunning disclosure, Australia’s six-time World Cup-winning former women’s cricket team captain Meg Lanning has recently revealed that her early retirement at 31 was forced by bouts of depression and weight-loss due to ‘over-exercising and under-fuelling’.
Marcus Trescothick
Whirl-wind English cricketer Marcus Trescothick suffered mental health issues when he was at the peak of his career. In 2006, he decided to go back home in between the tour of India and later revealed that he was dealing with depression. The attacking opener even returned just two weeks into the tour of Australia in 2006-07. Later he also confessed that he even had to bid adieu to cricket due to mental problems.
Jonathan Trott
Jonathan Trott is another solid English batsman who had to battle psychological problems during the peak of his career. Technically flawless Trott had almost cemented his spot in the England team when he was hit with the mental turmoil. Though he was part of the Ashes squad in 2013, he had to end his career abruptly. He tried to play county cricket after his retirement, but he had to quit all form of cricket soon due to anxiety disorder.
Andrew Flintoff
One of the greatest all-rounders produced by England cricket is Andrew Flintoff. He also battled through mental health issues which forced him to draw curtains to his international career in 2010.
David Bairstow
Bairstow, who played 25 internationals in the late 90s, also underwent mental stress and issues, which was initiated post-illness of his wife, Janet. The wicket-keeper went on to accumulate several financial issues, along with drinking and driving charges in 1997.
Sarah Taylor
Another England cricketer who suffered mental health issues was wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor, who won the 2017 Women’s World Cup at home. Taylor was renowned for her lightning glovework and had 232 dismissals to her name. However, Taylor shocked the English cricket community after announcing her retirement from the game citing anxiety-related issues, which took a toll on her batting.
Will Pucovski
Promising Australian batsman Will Pucovski is also a victim of mental health issue. He revealed that he was taking a break from cricket towards the end of 2018 due to anxiety issues. He made a comeback to the team in 2019 against Sri Lanka, but couldn’t make it to the playing eleven. Later in the year, he withdrew from Test contention for the series against Pakistan citing mental health issues again.