Liam Plunkett reveals personal struggles since England's triumph in World Cup final – ‘it felt like a massive low’

Plunkett was a key part of England's success but says he has felt ‘quite down’ just two days after the World Cup final

Liam Plunkett says he wants to "get excited about stuff again" after experiencing low moods since England's World Cup glory.

Plunkett was one of England's heroes as they beat New Zealand in an all-time classic at Lord's but has found the days after lifting the trophy tough.

While the majority of England's squad have Test and Ashes commitments ahead, Plunkett, as a white-ball specialist for his country, has gone his own way and told The Telegraph that within two days of the final he was "sat on his sofa watching Netflix".

"It was quite hard and honestly I felt quite down a little bit," the 34-year-old said. "Everything was building up to that World Cup and it was the highest point of my career. I'm not sure anything's going to happen like that again in cricket for me."

Plunkett took three vital wickets in the final, the crowning point of a career which he admits has given him plenty of mental challenges, leading him to seek professional help.

"I've always been big into it [mental health awareness]," he said. "I had a panic attack a long time ago. I never knew what it was and I got anxiety around it.

"I struggled being in one-on-one situations and certain situations like travelling on a plane and I've always been conscious of that.

"I've never stopped speaking to anyone, but it's just a natural thing. From winning the World Cup to sitting on your sofa it is a big drop.

"I think a lot of the guys felt the same, we spoke to each other about it but as I said you've got to go back to playing for your county, some guys are playing in the Ashes and the Test against Ireland.

Liam Plunkett was a key part of England's World Cup success (Getty)

"In the blink of an eye it was gone, as I say it felt like a massive low then.

"Everyone just disappeared everywhere else, so it was sad a little bit because you still want to be around people.

"You've just won the World Cup, you might never see that again never mind winning it so I felt a little bit down after. It was sad."

Plunkett, now with Surrey after a highly-successful six years with Yorkshire, will return to domestic action on Tuesday night in a T20 clash with Middlesex.

He admitted to the newspaper that returning to 'normal' life would be a challenge, saying: "Not in a bad way, you just want to get excited about stuff again.

"It's just hard from playing in such a magnificent game as that. I was a little bit down, I was still happy, but it's just the ebb and flow of that game and the magnitude of it, it's just a natural thing."

PA