An In-depth Appraisal of Career Termination Experiences in Elite Cricket

Objectives: In 2001, David Frith published statistics on the unusually high rates of suicide amongst ex-professional cricketers. Despite this, the difficulties associated with a transition out of professional cricket have never been fully explored. The present study was approached from a qualitative perspective, and set out to determine whether Taylor and Ogilvie’s (1994) conceptual model of retirement from sport provided an accurate account of transitions out of professional cricket [Taylor & Ogilvie (1994). A conceptual model of adaptation to retirement among athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 6, 1-20].
Design & Method: Ten male ex-professional cricketers who had retired from the game in the last 10 years participated in semi-structured interviews that focused on their retirement experiences. A modified form of analytic induction was employed to examine the data.
Results: The main findings of this study suggest that while Taylor and Ogilvie’s model provides a basic framework for exploring career transitions, it fails to fully account for the reality of retirement from professional cricket. Specifically the complex interaction of antecedents. These antecedents included a loss of motivation, the commercial and financial pressures faced by cricket clubs and inter-squad competitiveness. The study also highlighted the importance of autonomy throughout the cricketing career and allowing players enough freedom to develop other interests and identities. Finally, education prior to or during a professional athletic career, practical work experience, and exposure to other individuals undergoing a transition out of sport were reported as protective factors in their adaptation to life following retirement.
Conclusion: Practitioners working with athletes in transition should seek to understand sport specific idiosyncrasies prior to designing and delivering interventions.