The Hard Yards ― Highs and Lows of a Life in Cricket

Mike Yardy is one of only 11 English cricketers to reach the absolute pinnacle of his profession. In 2010 he was a member of the team which won the T20 World Cup, England's only triumph in a global tournament. Having led Sussex to two titles in his first year as captain in 2009, he was an established member of England's one-day side. Yardy was at the top of his game, but all the time he was riddled with self-doubt. Was he good enough? Did other people believe in him? How long would the good times last before his world came crashing in? Without fully recognizing the symptoms, Yardy had been suffering from depression since 2008, and three years later, when he should have been preparing for a World Cup quarter-final, he admitted defeat and sought treatment for his illness. The Hard Yards is a sporting autobiography with a real difference—the story of a courageous sportsman who confronted his problems head-on and now, having retired in 2015, is helping other sportsmen learn to live with mental illness through his ambassadorial work with the mental health charity MIND.

Mike Yardy emerged from Sussex's junior system and joined the professional staff in 1999. He was part of the all-conquering county team that won trophies galore. He also played 42 times for his country and won the T20 World Cup in 2010. He retired five years later and is studying for a degree in sports science and coaches at Hurstpierpoint College. Bruce Talbot is a Sussex-based cricket writer who has covered the game for nearly 30 years. This is his sixth book.