Thaindian News

London, Mar 28(ANI): England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has said that teammate Michael Yardy’s decision to pull out of the World Cup due to depression came as a complete shock to him.

Collingwood said that as someone who is close to the team, he feels guilty that he did not realize what Yardy was going through.

“The sad news of Mike Yardy’s depression came as a complete shock. I didn’t have an inkling, nor did I when the same thing happened to Marcus Trescothick, which shows how hard they must have tried to hide their problems,” Collingwood wrote in article for the Daily Mail.

“When the decision was made that he must go home, Yards still could have played in a World Cup final. He must have been on his last legs to be so close to a lifetime ambition and not be able to stay. I had no opportunity to talk to him as he left on the next flight available, but I wish I’d had the chance to say he had nothing to be ashamed of, that we all understood and were right behind him,” he added.

Yardy had pulled out of the World Cup ahead of his team’s quarterfinal against Sri Lanka in Colombo. He made a plea for privacy.

“I felt that it (leaving) was the only sensible option for me and I wanted to be honest about the reason behind that decision,” Yardy had said.

“I would like to wish the squad all the very best ahead of the game on Saturday. I would appreciate some privacy over the coming weeks while I spend time with family and close friends ahead of what I hope will be a successful season for Sussex,” he added.

Yardy joins former England opening batsman Marcus Trescothick and Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait among the list of international stars who have battled depression. (ANI)