Great that mental health conversations are happening, states Steve Smith
Steve Smith is glad that conversations on the mental health of cricketers are in focus đŻafter some of his Australia teammates took breaks to deal with their issues. Smith feels that it is tough to sustain mental and physical freshness ęŚfor long periods of time under hectic playing schedules.
With Cricket Australiaâs (CA) support, star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and the lesser-known Nic Maddinson and Will Pucovski had recently announced their decision to take breaks from international cricket to deal with their mental issues. Smith is glad đˇthat the coaches and team psychologists are keen on making sure of the wellness of the players in the dressing room.
âIt is a pretty hectic schedule nowadays. Itâs bloody tough to sustain it for long periods of time, particularly I think for the fast bowlers. Itâs extremely difficult what they put themselves through. Itâs great that those conversations are happening and weâre trying to keđep guys as mentally and physically fresh as they can be,â Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
âWe fill out daily how weâre feeling, how we slept... the sleep gets a big red every now and againđŞ. The coęŚach and psych (psychologist) and head of team performance look at our markers daily and itâs upon us to be honest in the way we go about that as well,â he continued.
â...if thereâs a change in behaviour, if youâre feeling iđťll or not sleeping well or feeling a bit off, theyâre aware of it. That cađĽn sort of start a conversation,â Smith said.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli also extended his support to Maxwell, lauding him for his admission and recalling the time he struggled with âend of the worldâ thoughts. Having endured a one-year ban himself, Smith was asked about the suspension of his former Caribbean Premier League teammate Nicholas Pooran for ball-tampering.Â
âEveryone is different, every board is different, and the way they deal with certain issues. For me, I copped it on the chin... it is what it is. I know Nicholas, Iâve played a bit of cricket with him and háŁeâs a talented player and someone with a bright future. I thâink heâll learn from his mistake and move past it,â Smith added.
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