Without saying this applies to anyone recently in the news, but if an athlete failed a drug test, or thought they might be about to, would dropping out for mental health reasons be a good way to avoid the fall-out?

Sport has been spolit for me. Even the NFL is turning political.

Ben Stokes has left cricket today also - indefinitely.

Mental issues affect everyone. Although most cite other causes.

Like stress, illness, perceived inadequacies, peer pressures etc.

Whatever Diana's children have done - they have focused on a serious subject.

Paul wrote:
Ben Stokes has left cricket today also - indefinitely.

Mental issues affect everyone. Although most cite other causes.

Like stress, illness, perceived inadequacies, peer pressures etc.

Whatever Diana's children have done - they have focused on a serious subject.

It's probably burn out - however cricket is bloody boring also.

I am going to be boringly "right on" with this one - it is great that people are talking about mental health in areas (elite sport) where previously it was never mentioned.

It is great also that more men feel free to talk about it given their high suicide rates compared to women. With "me too" in particular making every man feel like a sexual predator, it sometimes feels like women can be the only victims; when in reality the pressures of life - and roles we feel we have to live up to - have long seen far more men than women decide to end their lives at their own hands. Including my late cousin; rest in peace Jon.

Paul wrote:
Ben Stokes has left cricket today also - indefinitely.


Touring, as a cricketer, entails long periods in hotel rooms and being cut off from family.

Additional Covid restrictions have seemingly made the lifestyle intolerable for some.


www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/58033393