It's been reported this morning that England all-rounder Michael Yardy is to fly home from the World Cup, as he is suffering from depression.
I am by no means a mental health expert, so I won't speculate too much about this, but make no mistake, this is not a time for teasing and sniggering. Depression can be awful at the best of times, but after only being home for three days in four months, it must be debilitating. Yardy has been exceptionally brave to stick it out for so long, and must be praised for taking what is the right decision for himself.
Having read Marcus Trescothick's book (massively highly recommended), there are questions to be asked about whether Yardy is able to travel away again, which does put his international (and maybe even county) future in doubt. But those are not questions for now, at the moment Yardy needs the love and support of his friends and family.
Whether someone is a cricketer, footballer, postman, binman or helicopter pilot, depression can strike, and it ain't a lot of fun. I don't want to speculate on the reasons why it has struck now, instead I want to send my best wishes to Michael Yardy, and hope he makes a full and happy recovery.
Signed. Also, Yardy is the man.
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