TheEarl
Occasional visitor
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- Apr 1, 2002
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And the second of my cricketing threads for the evening, although I'll blame the first on researching this one.
There's an Englishman by the name of Marcus Trescothick, who is a very successful international cricketer. He's ranked as being in the top twenty players in his position in the world and is an integral member of the England squad. However, shadows have arisen over his reliability after he pulled out of a tour (playing several matches overseas, if the terminology doesn't translate) to India halfway through. He cited personal issues and was unusually terse with the media, refusing to give any more than that. A week or so later, Trescothick spoke to the media again, this time announcing that it was a virus that had rendered him unfit to play. Despite fans making open sport of the fact that he'd claimed one thing, then the other, Trescothick refused to be swayed from the second story and the fuss died down when he declared himself fit to play again and started playing well.
However, everything has just been dug up again, as Trescothick has announced that he will not be playing for England in their next tournament. The reason has been variously described as an "acquired gastro-intestinal problem," an "underlying stress-related illness," an "illness" and "a sensitive medical condition." Cynics have claimed that he is tired, not interested in taking part in a tournament that will not help his career, lazy, or scared of continuing a run of poor form. Debates have arisen that he is ducking out when the going gets tough and that he should not be allowed to pick and choose which tournaments he wishes to play in.
It amazes me that I've only just worked out what's wrong with him.
I may be wrong (and Marcus, if you're reading and I am, please don't sue), but I think he's suffering from depression. Everything fits. Cricket is a very mental sport, with concentration, focus and attitude paramount to success and you can see the sudden uncharacteristic dips in form preceding these events. Trescothick himself has linked the two absences as a result of an "illness" but won't specify what. The coach has allowed him significantly more leeway than he would for anyone else trying the same trick. Friends of his among the players have risen to defend him against any accusation of cowardice or laziness. I think that's it and now I've seen it, it amazes me that I didn't see it before.
It's very sad that he feels that it has to be passed off as an undescribed illness for him to retain credibility. However, I think he's probably made the right decision. Before I knew about depression, I didn't understand it at all. I guess I regarded it as a weakness of character, or self-indulgence. I do remember joining in with the jokes against Stan Collymore (English footballer), when he announced it as a reason for absence, quipping about how depressing it must be to earn £50,000 per week.
Like I said, this is all 'allegedly' and pure conjecture on my part. If I'm right, then I give Marcus Trescothick my very best thoughts and wish him all the best. Can't be easy trying to sort your head out in the public eye.
The Earl
There's an Englishman by the name of Marcus Trescothick, who is a very successful international cricketer. He's ranked as being in the top twenty players in his position in the world and is an integral member of the England squad. However, shadows have arisen over his reliability after he pulled out of a tour (playing several matches overseas, if the terminology doesn't translate) to India halfway through. He cited personal issues and was unusually terse with the media, refusing to give any more than that. A week or so later, Trescothick spoke to the media again, this time announcing that it was a virus that had rendered him unfit to play. Despite fans making open sport of the fact that he'd claimed one thing, then the other, Trescothick refused to be swayed from the second story and the fuss died down when he declared himself fit to play again and started playing well.
However, everything has just been dug up again, as Trescothick has announced that he will not be playing for England in their next tournament. The reason has been variously described as an "acquired gastro-intestinal problem," an "underlying stress-related illness," an "illness" and "a sensitive medical condition." Cynics have claimed that he is tired, not interested in taking part in a tournament that will not help his career, lazy, or scared of continuing a run of poor form. Debates have arisen that he is ducking out when the going gets tough and that he should not be allowed to pick and choose which tournaments he wishes to play in.
It amazes me that I've only just worked out what's wrong with him.
I may be wrong (and Marcus, if you're reading and I am, please don't sue), but I think he's suffering from depression. Everything fits. Cricket is a very mental sport, with concentration, focus and attitude paramount to success and you can see the sudden uncharacteristic dips in form preceding these events. Trescothick himself has linked the two absences as a result of an "illness" but won't specify what. The coach has allowed him significantly more leeway than he would for anyone else trying the same trick. Friends of his among the players have risen to defend him against any accusation of cowardice or laziness. I think that's it and now I've seen it, it amazes me that I didn't see it before.
It's very sad that he feels that it has to be passed off as an undescribed illness for him to retain credibility. However, I think he's probably made the right decision. Before I knew about depression, I didn't understand it at all. I guess I regarded it as a weakness of character, or self-indulgence. I do remember joining in with the jokes against Stan Collymore (English footballer), when he announced it as a reason for absence, quipping about how depressing it must be to earn £50,000 per week.
Like I said, this is all 'allegedly' and pure conjecture on my part. If I'm right, then I give Marcus Trescothick my very best thoughts and wish him all the best. Can't be easy trying to sort your head out in the public eye.
The Earl
