Five international cricketers who Tragically Died. Their passing highlights mental health challenges athletes face, underscoring the need for stronger support systems in sports.
5. David Bairstow
David Bairstow, a former English cricketer and the father of English wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, tragically took his own life in 1998, at the age of 46, by hanging himself at his home in Yorkshire. Having played 4 Tests and 21 ODIs in his short yet impactful international career, Bairstow’s life off the field was marred by personal and financial difficulties.
While his son would go on to become a successful cricketer for England, the shadow of his father’s death has always been a poignant aspect of his career.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 459 | 13,961 | 26.44 | 6 | 71 | 54 | 47.92 |
| List A | 429 | 4,231 | 17.39 | 0 | 14 | 9 | 40.77 |
4. Aubrey Faulkner
Aubrey Faulkner was a South African cricketer who is often regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game. He played 25 Test matches for his country. However, despite his success on the field, Faulkner’s life off the pitch was marked by personal struggles, particularly with his mental health.
He struggled to adjust to life beyond the field of cricket and took an unfortunate step in 1930. Tragically, on September 10, 1930, at the age of 48, Aubrey Faulkner took his own life by gassing himself out at a storeroom of a cricket school.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 25 | 1,754 | 40.79 | 4 | 8 | 82 | 26.58 | 7/84 |
| First-Class | 210 | 15,697 | 40.38 | 32 | 72 | 778 | 21.52 | 10/80 |
3. Jim Burke
Jim Burke, an Australian cricketer who played for the national team in the 1950s, tragically took his own life at the age of 54. Burke was a right-handed batter and occasional off-spin bowler who played 24 Test matches for Australia between 1951 and 1959. However, financial worries and personal relationship issues pushed Burke to the edge.
His marriage was in trouble before health issues began to creep in. Burkel also lost $153,000 in a gambling market, after which he bought a shotgun from Sydney and shot himself to claim his life. Jim Burke’s story was indeed a tragic end that shocked the cricketing community.
| Category | Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Test Cricket | 3 | 5 | 152 | 30.40 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 37.28 | 3/63 |
| ODI | One Day Internationals | 2 | 2 | 11 | 5.50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| First-Class | First-Class | 65 | 112 | 3,135 | 29.31 | 5 | 11 | 165 | 21.14 | 7/35 |
| List A | List A | 22 | 22 | 461 | 23.05 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 21.89 | 5/19 |
2. Harold Gimblett
Harold Gimblett is remembered as one of the most naturally gifted batters in the history of English cricket. He made his debut for Somerset in 1935, and in his very first match, he scored 123 runs in just 79 minutes, leading Somerset to an improbable victory. He scored over 30,000 runs in first-class cricket, including 49 centuries.
However, his international career was restricted to just 3 Test matches. After his retirement, Gimblett’s mental health continued to deteriorate. He faced a prolonged battle with depression, and in 1978, Gimblett took his own life with an overdose of prescription drugs.
1. Graham Thorpe
In the latest tragedy that shook English cricket, Graham Thorpe, who played 100 Test matches for England, tragically committed suicide after a long battle with depression and anxiety. Graham scored 6,700 runs, including 16 centuries from 1993 and 2005. After retiring from playing, Thorpe transitioned into a coaching role.
However, his anxiety and depression only got worse post-retirement. Despite having signed up for the head coach position with Afghanistan cricket, Thorpe fell seriously ill and took his own life. He leaves behind a loving wife and two daughters.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | Highest Score | Wickets | Bowling Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 100 | 82 | 6,744 | 44.66 | 16 | 39 | 200 | 12 | 60.25 | 3/12 |
| ODI | 163 | 151 | 3,384 | 37.44 | 0 | 21 | 109* | 0 | – | – |