Former Australian all-rounder Brad Hogg who considered taking his own life after his retirement from cricket and the breakdown of his marriage in 2008 has told a radio program how an argument with an Indian cabbie was a turning point in his life that helped him come out of depression.
The West Australian cricketer was twice part of the winning world cup team, in 2003 and then again in 2007, before he shocked everyone by announcing his retirement.
He later revealed he had retired to fix his marriage, which had been on the rocks for several years.
Talking to Weekend Mornings with Jason Dasey, Hogg shared he had contemplated ending his own life and was depressed when an argument with an Indian-origin cab driver over cricket worked as a trigger to take control of his life.
Source: AAP-AP-Saurabh Das
“I had a big night on the town one night. I went to my parents first because my car was there. I got out of the cab after an argument with the cabbie – he was an Indian cabbie – and the last five minutes we had an argument about cricket.
“Then (I) went inside and had an argument with mum and dad while my brother went and sorted out the cabbie, it wasn’t anything physical or abusive, but just a disagreement on cricket.
“I even tried to ring him the next day because I was guilty,” he admitted.
“Then I got in my car and drove home and dad followed me.
“I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and looked at myself in the mirror and said, “what the hell are you doing?”
“I then went into my office and wrote down everything that was important in my life. I reckon five days later I got a call for a radio job in Perth and (met), my new wife, just two weeks after. My whole life just turned around,” said Hogg.
“I turned something negative into something positive,” he says.
Hogg has spoken extensively out about his mental health, even writing an autobiography ‘The Wrong 'Un’ which was released in October 2016.
Source: AAP-Obed Zilwa
He finally made a comeback to cricket after a brief stint as a commentator, to play grade cricket in Perth before he was picked up for the Perth Scorchers in the 2012 BBL.
At the age of 40, he was picked up for the national T20 squad and played against India in 2011-12.
He has also played for the IPL as a member of Rajasthan Royals team and is now a commentator with the league.
If you need support and information about suicide prevention, please contact:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
- Multicultural Mental Health Australia www.mmha.org.au
- Local Aboriginal Medical Service available from www.vibe.com.au
