Field of Dreams? How Some Professional Cricketers Continue to Pay the Price for Sporting Excellence

The Stereotype of Cricket

What comes to mind when you think of cricket? Perhaps it’s an idyllic scene of an English village green – people sitting on deckchairs and checkered blankets tucking into a traditional cricket tea while watching mild-mannered players in sparkling whites shouting “howzat?!” every now and then? The stereotype of a genteel, quintessentially English sport can be light years away from the reality, however.

The Reality of Cricket

In addition to a potentially punishing – and exclusive – working culture, cricket requires a huge amount of endurance, resilience, and skill. It’s such a demanding sport, in fact, that test cricket is often referred to as “the ultimate test”. Research from Loughbrough University found that a career in professional cricket has “highs and lows that both stimulate a player’s mental health and lead to mental health issues and impaired performance”.

Mental Health in Cricket

Former international cricketer and coach for the England cricket squad, Freddie Flintoff, is no stranger to mental health struggles – and he’s spoken publicly about his experience of depression and his struggle with bulimia during and after his cricket career. The second season of Flintoff’s docuseries, Field of Dreams On Tour, chronicles his journey as he takes his team on a cricket tour to India, following their ups and downs and showing how sports and cricket can help – and sometimes harm – mental health.

- Advertisement -

Nature or Nurture

Cricketing history is littered with cases of mental health crises – and even suicide. For over thirty years, cricket writer David Frith researched suicides among cricket players, publishing two books on the issue. His 2001 book concluded that, “cricket has an alarming suicide rate. Among international players for England and several other countries it is far above the national average for all sports”.

Opening Up to Close Stigma Down

But the stigma around mental health is slowly being broken down as more and more players speak out about their experiences of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. In response to the death of retired cricketer Graham Thorpe in August 2024, former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa disclosed his issues with mental health. He said, “I recently heard about Graham Thorpe and multiple cricketers who have ended their lives because of depression. Even in the past, we have heard of athletes and cricketers who have ended their lives because of clinical depression. I personally have been there as well. I know for a fact that it’s not a pretty journey. It’s debilitating, it’s exhausting, and it’s heavy. It feels burdening.”

Conclusion

While the willingness of players to open up about their experiences could be making a difference, there is still a responsibility for cricket authorities to create supportive environments that nurture players’ mental health during and after their cricket careers. The charity Opening Up Cricket was founded in memory of wicket keeper Alex Miller, who took his own life in 2012. By working together, we can break down the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure that professional cricketers receive the support they need to thrive.

FAQs

Q: What is the stereotype of cricket?
A: The stereotype of cricket is often depicted as a genteel, quintessentially English sport, with players enjoying a traditional cricket tea while watching the game.

Q: What is the reality of cricket?
A: The reality of cricket is that it is a demanding sport that requires a huge amount of endurance, resilience, and skill, and can have a potentially punishing and exclusive working culture.

Q: What is the mental health situation in cricket?
A: The mental health situation in cricket is complex, with many players experiencing mental health issues and even suicide. However, there is a growing willingness for players to speak out about their experiences and for authorities to provide support.

Q: What is the role of cricket authorities in supporting players’ mental health?
A: Cricket authorities have a responsibility to create supportive environments that nurture players’ mental health during and after their cricket careers. This includes providing access to mental health support services and promoting a culture of openness and understanding.

Q: What is the charity Opening Up Cricket?
A: Opening Up Cricket is a charity founded in memory of wicket keeper Alex Miller, who took his own life in 2012. The charity aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in cricket and provide support to players who are struggling.