Better to stay happy rather than suffer: Steve Harmison

Harmison,who took 226 wickets in 63 tests for England,including a memorable 7/12 against the West Indies in Jamaica in 2004 had briefly earned him the top spot in the Test bowler rankings. Trott’s struggle reminded Harmison of his own battle against depression that twice put him on the verge of withdrawing from the squad. “Nobody knows more than me what it is like to be depressed while you are on a cricket tour because I spent 10 years hiding it as homesickness,” said Harmison.

“I said I was homesick and that was actually used as a stick to beat me with. It was not just homesickness,although that did not help. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain and it is something I battled with for years. It tended to be inflamed when I was away from home because I did miss people,I was lonely and I did not have my support network around me.”

Harmison,35,wished he had opened up more about the problem during his playing days but said he was scared of the reaction that would follow. “It is so,so tough. I can remember sleepless nights in hotel rooms where I would be in tears and then going out to play the next day,” he said,adding he was more vulnerable to depression when alone. “I used to surround myself with people. I took a dart board with me so that people would come to my room after training or a day’s play. I was comfortable with people around,it was when I was alone that the world caved in.”

Warne backs Clarke

Shane Warne says a threat by Jimmy Anderson to punch debutant George Bailey sparked the furious reaction by Australian skipper Michael Clarke in the first Test against England.

As a member of the Nine Network’s commentary team,Warne had access to all the stump microphone recordings and tweeted that Anderson had threatened Bailey,who was fielding in close,with a punch to the face.

“I think it’s a disgrace that @MClarke23 has been fined. What about what Anderson said to Bailey,which wasn’t heard,” Warne posted on Twitter. “@MClarke23 stuck up for his debutant Bailey as he should have too as capt after Anderson said he wanted to punch Bailey in the face.

“Unfortunately only Clarke’s reaction to Anderson’s was heard live,we all heard Anderson’s sledge that led to Clarke reacting.” He added: “Lastly as an international sportsman,if you decide to dish it out ie sledging you have to be prepared to cop it back too & not complain.” Bailey has remained tight-lipped on the Anderson incident,saying only that “he must have been just a bit upset about the way the game was going I guess”.