A survey of former players in Australia has found that a quarter experienced depression or feelings of helplessness after leaving professional cricket.

The subject of mental health among cricketers was thrust back into focus when England’s Jonathan Trott returned home from the Ashes tour last month citing ‘‘stress-related illness’’.

Returned home: England batsman Jonathan Trott. Credit:Getty Images

And the results of the survey, conducted by the Australian Cricketers’ Association, further emphasise the challenges confronting the game.

The ACA contacted every player who had retired or been forced out of professional cricket, be it at international or state level, since 2005 for the poll in an effort to see how they had found the transition out of the game.