Tait Cites Exhaustion As Cue For Decision To Step Away From Cricket

The Age

Wednesday January 30, 2008

Lyall Johnson

AUSTRALIAN fast bowler Shaun Tait yesterday announced he would be taking an indefinite break from all levels of cricket to have treatment for "physical and emotional exhaustion".

Tait met the Cricket Australia hierarchy yesterday afternoon to discuss his condition and whether he would be available to play in Friday's Australia versus India Twenty20 match at the MCG. The announcement of the Australian side, which was due yesterday, had been delayed while Tait's condition was discussed.

The 24-year-old speedster, who endured a wicketless Test match in Perth and was expensive but lethal in South Australia's loss to Victoria in a Ford Ranger Cup match on Sunday, said he had been struggling with his feelings for some time. His exhaustion has been attributed partly to trying to cope with injuries over the past few seasons.

In recent years, Tait has had shoulder and elbow surgery. He's also had a range of hamstring and lower back injuries that have been painful and difficult to overcome.

"This is a very difficult situation for me to be in at this time," Tait said yesterday in a statement. "This is not an overnight decision but something that I've been struggling with for some time.

"A break from professional cricket will hopefully give me a clear mind and a chance for my body to rest and recover. My love and enjoyment of the game is struggling due to these issues and if I continue to go on it will be unfair on my teammates and support staff of both the Australian and South Australian cricket teams - and most importantly my family and close friends.

"If my privacy can be respected until I've worked through my current situation, that would be much appreciated. The continued success of the Australian cricket team is important to me and I wish my teammates every success in the coming Twenty20 game and the Commonwealth Bank Series."

While it was not announced yesterday that Tait had been diagnosed with depression, sources suggested he had been, and that the wording of the statement was an attempt to soften the announcement.

Cricket Australia's chief medical officer, Dr Trefor James, confirmed he had had discussions with Tait. He said it "is clear that Shaun needs a break from cricket at all levels". "Shaun's personal welfare is our primary concern as well as his return to cricket at an appropriate point," James said.

SA Cricket Association medical officer Terry Farquharson said Tait had had recurrent injuries since having surgery on a shoulder injury in 2005. Last year, he had pins inserted into his elbow and a follow-up operation to remove scar tissue.

"The combination of his injury history and the demands of being an elite professional cricketer has affected his physical, and significantly his emotional, wellbeing," Farquharson said. "Shaun feels he needs a rest from cricket and I support this, which will allow him to recover both physically and emotionally."

Tait joins the growing list of high-profile sportspeople who have been hit with mental illness. AFL footballer Nathan Thompson, who struggled with depression for several years before making his illness public, yesterday sent his best wishes to Tait, but declined to comment until he knew exactly what Tait was suffering from.

© 2008 The Age

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