Ecclestone targets World Cup glory after mental health struggle

Ecclestone targets World Cup glory after mental health struggleImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sophie Ecclestone is England women's leading T20 wicket-takerByFfion WynneBBC Sport JournalistPublished13 minutes agoThis year marks 10 years since spinner Sophie Ecclestone's England debut, and yet she is only 27. She was the teenage sensation who quickly became the first name on the teamsheet, and in 2024 she overtook legendary fast bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt to become England's leading T20 wicket-taker.It had been a career that, up until 18 months ago, had known nothing but success. But England's miserable Ashes tour at the start of 2025 put its players under a spotlight of scrutiny like never before, and the combination of a tough time on the field and some struggles away from the game led to Ecclestone questioning the future."It was such a tough period - there was a time where I didn't leave my house for five days," says Ecclestone, who is preparing for her fifth T20 World Cup when it begins at Edgbaston on 12 June. "It wasn't just cricket, it was life generally, and when that isn't great, cricket takes a turn for the worse. I wasn't enjoying the environment and I just wanted to run away."But I'm back. Things are so different now - I can play cricket with a smile on my face again."Ecclestone revealed that speaking to a psychiatrist had played a pivotal part in her turnaround, though she admits that she previously did not think she would ever end up needing to take that step. She also credits former England head coach Jon Lewis and current coach Charlotte Edwards for their support, and says that overcoming the struggles has given her a better perspective in terms of being a leader for younger players coming through. "International cricket is so hard these days, you're under so much more scrutiny than we've ever been before, especially compared to when I made my debut at 17,...