Trescothick's Depression-Induced Retirement
England Batsman Succumbed To Stress-Related Illness
May 4, 2009
Psychological illness among sportsmen and women is a phenomenon not often documented. However, with the increasing demands of modern sport on its participants, as they are required to travel internationally on a frequent basis and make ever-increasing sacrifices in their family and personal lives, it is becoming increasingly more common.
This was the case when former England batsman Marcus Trescothick retired from international cricket in March 2008, having spent the previous two years plagued by a 'stress-related illness', closely linked to clinical depression, that left him unable to participate in international tours, and struggling to bring himself to play the game at all.
Trescothick has since become an ambassador for Anxiety UK, and has helped bring his affliction into a public context - but what exactly was it that drove him out of the England side, to which he was so important?
The Pressures Of Touring
Trescothick's autobiography, released in 2008 and entitled Coming Back To Me, was the source of many stark revelations about the nature of his illness itself. He explained that the illness had first developed in 2004-05 during England's tour of South Africa, while his wife Haley remained at home. On the birth of the couple's first child, Ellie, in 2006, the condition worsened.
Trescothick revealed that he had suffered paralysing, nightmarish visions of his family while away from them on tour - having missed the birth of his first child while on tour in India, Trescothick was plagued by fears for his wife and daughter that rendered touring an impossible experience. He was then forced to pull out of England's Ashes tour of Australia later in the year, after extensive therapy over the summer failed to cure his condition.
Trescothick's international career finally ended for good in March 2008, when he announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. This announcement followed a well-publicised emotional breakdown in a Heathrow Airport branch of Dixons', prior to departing for Somerset's pre-season tour to Dubai.
This episode persuaded him to call time on his international career - he appears to have found a pleasing degree of closure in doing so, and has looked in excellent form for his county side, Somerset, since coming to terms with his condition.
Suffering In Silence
Trescothick has admitted to being unsure of his condition at first, and this uncertainty may have contributed toward his unwillingness to go public about his depression until long after it had begun. As a consummate professional and team player, he was also fulfilling the role of team vice-captain, which placed a yet heavier burden on his shoulders.
On finally coming clean about his condition in late 2006, many were confused as to how an international cricketer who had spent so long in the spotlight could have succumbed so quickly to the pressures of his career.
In truth, however, depression is not an illness that follows traditional logic. Many have claimed that Trescothick's condition was a result of a series of circumstances - after twice refusing to return home from international tours after family problems, Trescothick's attempts to reconcile his complicated family life with his duties as an England player appeared to be finally catching up with him. However, the truth is that such illnesses are more common in modern sport than many people realise.
Trescothick's Case Backed Up By Others
While Trescothick is arguably the most high-profile and talented sportsman to succumb to depression in recent years - his position at the top of the England order was almost unchallenged throughout his 76 Test matches, and until Kevin Pietersen came along he was likely the best One-Day International batsman England had ever had - such cases are becoming more commonplace.
Manchester City footballer Stephen Ireland, lauded for his fantastic performances throughout the 2009-10 season, admitted several years ago to "hating football" in his profile on a social networking site. Australian Rules footballer Cory Patterson's recent revelation that he is suffering from depression also added to the growing number of sportsmen and women who are coming clean about such conditions in public - this can only be to their benefit, as it was with Trescothick.
While depression and other such illnesses are never easy to deal with, it must be said that the international sporting community does not currently provide sufficient psychological aid for professionals undergoing severe stress in high-pressure situations.
While every high-profile sports team these days has a team doctor, and many employ psychologists from time to time, very few employ counsellors. If such measures are taken in future, talented sportsmen and women like Trescothick may no longer be lost to international sport for good.
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