Steven Finn, the former English fast bowler, has spoken candidly about his tumultuous career, revealing the emotional toll of never quite fulfilling his immense wicket-taking potential. The 36-year-old had a fine career, playing 126 times for England in three formats and taking 254 wickets, including 125 in Test cricket.
However, Finn's journey was marked by self-doubt, shame, and feelings of inadequacy, particularly after being dropped from the team during the 2013-14 Ashes tour of Australia. The then-coach Ashley Giles' comment that Finn was "not selectable" still haunts him, describing it as "clumsy language" that damaged his confidence.
Finn's struggles with mental health were exacerbated by the pressure to perform and the lack of support from those around him. He has since spoken about how he struggled with depression and anxiety after retiring from cricket, but has found solace in punditry and coaching.
In a recent interview, Finn reflected on his experiences, saying that writing about his struggles had been therapeutic. The book, "The Ashes Files: My Pride and Pain in Cricket's Most Intense Series," is a raw and emotional account of his career, offering a unique insight into the mental games played by professional athletes.
Finn credits Richard Johnson, his former Middlesex bowling coach, with helping him to rebuild his technique and mentality. The two worked together to find solutions to Finn's problems, including a shorter run-up that would help him to generate more pace.
Despite his struggles, Finn remains proud of the resilience he displayed throughout his career. He is also enthusiastic about England's chances of winning the Ashes in the current series, believing that the team has a good balance and a strong sense of unity.
As for his own future, Finn hopes to continue working as a pundit and coach, using his experiences to help young bowlers develop their skills. With a deep understanding of the game and its challenges, Finn is well-equipped to offer valuable insights and guidance to those following in his footsteps.
However, Finn's journey was marked by self-doubt, shame, and feelings of inadequacy, particularly after being dropped from the team during the 2013-14 Ashes tour of Australia. The then-coach Ashley Giles' comment that Finn was "not selectable" still haunts him, describing it as "clumsy language" that damaged his confidence.
Finn's struggles with mental health were exacerbated by the pressure to perform and the lack of support from those around him. He has since spoken about how he struggled with depression and anxiety after retiring from cricket, but has found solace in punditry and coaching.
In a recent interview, Finn reflected on his experiences, saying that writing about his struggles had been therapeutic. The book, "The Ashes Files: My Pride and Pain in Cricket's Most Intense Series," is a raw and emotional account of his career, offering a unique insight into the mental games played by professional athletes.
Finn credits Richard Johnson, his former Middlesex bowling coach, with helping him to rebuild his technique and mentality. The two worked together to find solutions to Finn's problems, including a shorter run-up that would help him to generate more pace.
Despite his struggles, Finn remains proud of the resilience he displayed throughout his career. He is also enthusiastic about England's chances of winning the Ashes in the current series, believing that the team has a good balance and a strong sense of unity.
As for his own future, Finn hopes to continue working as a pundit and coach, using his experiences to help young bowlers develop their skills. With a deep understanding of the game and its challenges, Finn is well-equipped to offer valuable insights and guidance to those following in his footsteps.
. plus hes found a new passion in punditry and coaching which is awesome. maybe hes just better off forgetting about the ashley giles comment tho 
. on the other hand, i do think its super important for athletes to speak out about their mental health struggles and help others who may be going through similar things 
. so maybe stevens story can be a good lesson for young cricketers out there... or is it?
I think it's really interesting how sports can affect our mental health. Steven Finn's story is a good reminder that even successful athletes like him can struggle with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. It's like, you're putting your whole life on the line to perform in front of thousands of people, and if you don't deliver, it can be super tough on your mental well-being.
I mean, don't get me wrong, Steven Finn's story is a powerful one, but it feels like we're just getting more sappy feel-good stuff about athletes overcoming their struggles 
The problem is that the world doesn't need another 'overcoming adversity' narrative. We've got enough of those already 
Can't we just get some solid analysis or stats on his bowling skills instead? 
I'm still waiting for a proper breakdown of his average speed and economy rate... 
. It takes a lot of courage to share something that can be so personal, especially when it comes to feelings like depression and anxiety 
. His story is a great reminder that even successful people can struggle, and that seeking help and support is always an option 
.
it's crazy how much pressure he faced on & off the pitch! 
#MentalHealthMatters #CricketHeroes
another sports legend has spoken out about the mental health struggles that followed their retirement 
Steven Finn's story is a sobering reminder of the pressure and expectation that comes with being a professional athlete 
. He's lucky to have found solace in punditry, but I worry about all the other athletes who are still struggling to find help after hanging up their boots 
. The lack of support from teammates, coaches, or even family can be devastating 
, you know? He's been through so much & it's not easy being dropped from the team, especially when you've got that kind of talent. I think Ashley Giles was just trying to be honest, but yeah, his words were super harsh 
. It's crazy how mental health can affect us, right? Finn seems like a really humble guy who's just trying to make the best of it 
. I love how he's turned things around by getting into punditry & coaching โ he's still got so much to offer! 
Can't wait to read his book & get some insight into what goes through the minds of pro athletes 