South Australian batsman Jake Weatherald is stepping away from cricket for mental health reasons.
Weatherald scored a century in the Redbacks' most recent Sheffield Shield game last December but struggled throughout the Big Bash for the Adelaide Strikers.
The left-hander made just 18 runs in four BBL knocks, all in December, before suffering an abdominal strain. He recovered from the injury but didn't play another BBL game this year.
"Jake is taking leave from the game at the moment to work on his mental health and wellbeing and he'll be unavailable for the rest of the season," the SACA's sports medicine manager John Porter said.
Weatherald, who has been a mainstay for the Redbacks with nine tons from 60 first-class matches, is expected to return to cricket next summer.
The 28-year-old carved a reputation as a dangerous opener in a BBL career highlighted by his 115 from 70 balls when the Strikers won the title in 2018.
The Redbacks have also lost 25-year-old paceman David Grant for the remainder of the Shield season because of what Porter described as a "lumbar stress injury".
SA's Shield season resumes on Friday against Western Australia at Adelaide Oval.
Australian Associated Press
