Lizaad Williams finds joy in bonding with infant daughter during injury recovery
Proteas fast bowler Lizaard Williams credits his infant daughter for helping him through mental health challenges during his recovery from a serious knee injury, as he prepares to return to cricket. Picture: Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix
Image: Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix
As Proteas pacer Lizaad Williams prepares to make a return from a serious knee injury since January, it was his infant daughter that helped him through some dark times.
The fast bowler underwent knee surgery in January, and last played in October last year.
At the age of 31, the injury could have been career-ending, but it seems the quick who has played 24 matches for South Africa across all three formats will be back in action soon.
In the meantime, Williams had to watch as other bowlers like Kwena Maphaka and all-rounder Corbin Bosch moved up the Proteas pecking order.
Williams Opens Up About Fatherhood and Mental Health During Injury Recovery
“I’ll actually just spoken to Rassie’s wife. I have a 19-month-old daughter, and she actually took me through this all 7 to 8 months,” said Williams.
“Because being at home … they say you’re first and father before you’re anything else.
“She didn’t know about my injuries, she didn’t care about my injuries, but I just needed to wake up every day and try to be a good father.”
Williams went on to reveal that the injury was particularly taxing on his mental health.
“Whenever in the rehab process, there is a dark place where it feels like “why is it so hard?”.
“And that’s also the reason for me trying to get through the day. So a lot of credit to my daughter, she actually was the biggest part in keeping my mind focused and trying to get back as soon as possible.”