PROFESSIONAL cricketers have long been thought to be prone to depression, during and after their careers.
Indeed, David Frith’s powerful book, Silence of the Heart, published in 2001, documents how as many as 150 players have committed suicide, most recently Mark Saxelby, the former Nottinghamshire and Durham batsman, in October 2000. Frith wonders whether any other sport has the same power “to enchant, to torment, to consume”.
Whether Marcus Trescothick’s poor form has contributed to his depression, or vice versa, is unclear. No doubt, if he had been scoring runs, the prospect of returning so soon to India, where it is now known that he suffered some sort of breakdown in February, would have been a more pleasant one.
Neil Burns, who played with Trescothick in the England batsman’s early years at Somerset, believes that recovery time, both emotional and physical, as well as professional help are vital for his wellbeing. Burns, the chief executive of London County Cricket Club, the coaching and mentoring organisation, works closely with Dr Ken Jennings, a leading international sports psychologist.
“Team environments aren’t always the best places for some if they are experiencing personal difficulties,” Burns said. “If problems are buried very deep down, they may require professional assistance to deal with what can become a serious crisis. That’s why, historically, some professional sportspeople, especially cricketers, have lost their way on occasions.”
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Burns is aware of some of the problems facing Trescothick but is optimistic that they can be overcome. “I think that, with specialist support, Marcus will have a very good chance of working through what is a very difficult time for him,” he said.
“He is a very nice man who comes from a solid family. Sometimes, when a player takes time out, it can be enormously beneficial. He can reconnect to a normal life. Life can be unreal in the international merry-go-round of international sport.”